TSRAPAC

May 27, 2013 was the last day for Regular Session

Go to the State site to read bill history, do your own research for additional legislation of interest, for "who represents you", and for contact information for House and Senate members and committees. You can watch live and archived committee hearings and floor debate. You can also sign up for alerts on bill movement at the link:    Texas Legislature On Line

Personal Protection for Adult Students, Faculty and Staff onTexas College and University Campuses

 HB 972 by Rep. Allen Fletcher Contains the comprehensive language, developed by the House and the Senate over previous legislative sessions. SB 182 by Sen. Brian Birdwell was not heard in Senate Crim. Justice Committee. HB 972 (as amended) passed in the Texas House on 5/6/13 and passed out of Senate Criminal Justice Committee 5/14/13.  Due to the required 2/3s vote to bring legislation to the Senate floor for discussion, HB 972 failed to move beyond this stage.      Failed

SB 1907 by Sen. Glenn Hegar and Rep. Tim Kleinschmidt protects students with a concealed handgun license who store firearms in their vehicles when parked on college or university parking lots.   The language protects students from being expelled due to a private or public college or university's rule-making authority for student conduct.  Signed by Governor Perry 6/14/13

 Open Carry

HB 700 by Rep. George Lavender would allow the licensed open carry of a handgun.  Bill washeard in committee in March but not allowed a committee vote by Chairman Joe Pickett. No senate companion.  Failed

SB 299 by Sen. Estes/HB 1304 by Rep. Sheets provides language to clarify the unintentional display of a firearm by a concealed handgun licensee. The language changed from "failure to conceal" to "intentional display of a weapon in a public place" when force or deadly force was not required.   Passed and Signed by Governor Perry

Updates for Concealed Handgun Licensees

HB 47 by Rep. Dan Flynn/ SB 864 by Sen. Donna Campbell reduces the number of hours for the initial CHL class. Nothing about the current CHL program or materials covered will change. The requirement for range qualification is still in place but no longer timed or part of the required hours.   SB 864 Passed and was Signed by Governor Perry

HB 48 by Rep. Dan Flynn/Sen. Donna Campbell creates in statute a process for renewing the CHL online without taking a renewal class.   Passed and Signed by Governor Perry 6/14/13 

HB 508 by Rep. Ryan Guillen prohibits cities, counties, and other governmental entities from the improper and unenforceable posting of the PC 30.06 sign and imposes a fine. Passed in House Criminal Jurisprudence Committee, passed on the House floor 5/6/13 and now moves to the Senate. Passed in Senate Intergovermental Relations Committee 5/15/13. Senate sponsor is Sen. Juan "Chuy" Hinojosa (D-McAllen).  Senate sponsorship for HB 508  but was taken over at the last minute by Sen. Dan Patrick (R-Houston) who allowed an amendment to be accepted.  The amendment creates special carry privileges for a few Texans but not for all, namely all legislators and all statewide elected officials would be allowed to carry "everywhere".   We were not able to strip the senate amendment and due wholly to the amendment the House killed the bill the last day of session, too late to repair the underlying legislation.  **An over-reach by the Senate shot-down a serious priority bill, needed by all Texans.   Failed

HB 698 by Rep.Springer requires access to digital fingerprinting not more than 25 miles from the applicant's residence and is limited to counties with a population of 46,000 or less.  This is specific to rural Texans who are forced to drive hundreds of miles for digital fingerprinting.  The Senate sponsor was Sen. Craig Estes.  Passed and Signed by Governor Perry 6/14/13

HB 3142 by Rep. Cecil Bell, Jr. repeals the SA/NA designation for the CHL license. HB 3142 passed in committee and recommended for the Local and Consent House Calendar. Picked up in the Senate by Senator Craig Estes and passed in Senate Committee.  Passed and Signed by Governor Perry 6/14/13

Other Pro-Gun Legislation

SB 343 by Sen. Estes/HB 1421 by Rep. Perry provides law enforcement agencies an option in statute to sell confiscated firearms to a federal firearm dealer (FFL) instead of destroying. After the cost of the sale and any other related charges, funds could stay with that law enforcement agency.  HB1421 Passed and has been Signed by Governor Perry

HB 333 by Rep. Guillen requires hotels and motels to provide advance notice if they prohibit firearms. Passed on the House floor 4/25/13. HB 333 passed on Senate Local and Uncontested Calendar.   Passed and signed by Governor Perry