Art. 56B.109.  COMPENSATION FOR CERTAIN SURVIVORS OF MEMBERS OF TEXAS MILITARY FORCES.  (a)  In this article, "state active duty," "Texas military forces," and "Texas National Guard" have the meanings assigned by Section 437.001, Government Code.
(b)  The attorney general shall award a lump sum payment in accordance with Subsection (c) to a claimant on behalf of an individual who is a victim of border crime and a member of the Texas military forces if:
(1)  the individual died on or after March 6, 2021, but before September 1, 2023, while on state active duty;
(2)  the individual's death was in connection with operations initiated to address criminal activity in the border region; and
(3)  the claimant is:
(A)  if the individual is a member of the Texas National Guard, a beneficiary designated by the individual on the individual's United States Department of Defense Form DD-93; or
(B)  if the individual is not a member of the Texas National Guard or there is no beneficiary described by Paragraph (A): 
(i)  the surviving spouse of the individual; 
(ii)  a surviving child of the individual, if there is no surviving spouse; or 
(iii)  the surviving parent of the individual, if there is no surviving spouse or child.
(c)  For purposes of Subsection (b), the lump sum payment amount payable to an eligible claimant is:
(1)  if there is a claimant described by Subsection (b)(3)(A) or (B)(i), $500,000 paid to the claimant; or
(2)  if there is no claimant described by Subsection (b)(3)(A) or (B)(i), $500,000, in equal shares:
(A)  paid to each claimant described by Subsection (b)(3)(B)(ii); or
(B)  paid to each claimant described by Subsection (b)(3)(B)(iii) if there is no claimant described by Subsection (b)(3)(B)(ii).
(d)  This article may not be construed to limit the assistance or compensation a claimant may otherwise receive under this chapter. 
(e)  For purposes of this article, a beneficiary designated by an individual on the individual's United States Department of Defense Form DD-93 is a "claimant."
Added by Acts 2023, 88th Leg., R.S., Ch. 660 (H.B. 90), Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2023.