85th Session of the Texas Legislature Additional Bills Signed Today by Governor Abbott!

hm1996

Moderator
Staff member
Quote:85th Session of the Texas Legislature
Additional Bills Signed Today by Governor Abbott!

All Take Effect on Sept. 1st

**SB16 by Senator Robert Nichols/Representative Phil King
In 1995 the Texas Legislature passed the concealed handgun license. At that time the fee to the state for the CHL was put into statute at $140 for the initial license and $70 to renew. The only discounts were allotted to seniors over 60 who were given a 50% discount and to indigents for the same 50% discount.
Over the years the Legislature created discounts for various groups such as judges, district attorneys, military, law enforcement and others but nothing for the average hardworking Texan. In addition, the process of issuing the license has been streamline through technology.
Before passage of
SB 16, the Texas LTC was the third most expensive license to carry in the country. Now it is one of the least expensive. The most any Texan will pay the state for the license is $40, which is essentially the "cost" to the state to produce the license. Those who would have paid $140 will pay $40 and their renewal will also be $40. It will be $40 for seniors for their first license instead of $70 but the renewal fee of $35 will stay the same. A licensee might pay less than $40 but not more.
Texans are paying for 5 years of personal protection, $8 a year, $40. Our license substitutes for a NICS check and provides reciprocity in 34 states. While TSRA strongly supports unlicensed carry of a handgun, the Texas license has become comfortable and acceptable even to those who worked for decades to oppose.
Special thank you's to Senator Robert Nichols the author of SB 16 , to Representative Phil King for HB300, Representative Dustin Burrows for HB339 and to Representative Kyle Kacal for HB1024; all filed to create support for SB 16. The issue was Lt. Governor Dan Patrick's #1 priority for Texas gun owners. September 1st effective date.
Governor signed (5/26/2017)
**Caliber Requirement for LTC Qualification
SB263 by Senator Perry/Representative Drew Springer
Since 1995 there has been a minimum caliber requirement in statute for the range proficiency portion of the Texas License to Carry class. Range Proficiency requires the applicant shoot a 50-round course of fire. SB263
Currently those seeking a license must test with a .32 caliber or higher handgun although there is no caliber requirement regarding the firearm carried by the licensee on a day to day basis.
This minimum caliber requirement negatively impacts those with hand injuries and the elderly who wish to obtain a license.
SB 263 by Senator Perry removes the caliber requirement for the range proficiency exam to obtain a Texas License to Carry. The bill takes effect September 1st
Governor signed (6/9/2017)
**Volunteer First Responder
HB435 by Represenative Ken King/Senator Perry. Relating to handgun laws as they apply to licensees who are volunteer first responders. Goes into effect Sept. 1st.

Bill analysis
Governor signed (6/15/2017)
**TSRA Suppressor Bill plus an Amendment
On Friday, May 19th, at 8:55 p.m. the Texas House passed HB1819, authored by Rep. Drew Springer (R-Muenster) with Senate sponsor, Sen. Charles Perry (R-Lubbock) plus an amendment by Sen. Craig Estes (R-Wichita Falls).
HB1819 sets up Texas law in preparation for the Hearing Protection Act (HR367) to pass in Congress. The Hearing Protection Act would remove suppressors, also known as silencers, from the provisions of the National Firearms Act (NFA) . This means the purchaser of a suppressor would no longer be required to register their suppressor with BATFE, as per NFA requirements.
The US Congress, under the current administration, is expected to act and when the change occurs Texas law will be ready to accommodate the change. This means law-abiding Texans wanting a suppressor for any firearm would simply show their LTC or submit to NICS in order to purchase a suppressor and take immediate possession.

HB 1819 includes an Senate amendment.

State Rep. Poncho Nevarez (D-Eagle Pass) and TSRA members brought to our attention a problem for Texans. The Mossberg 590 Shockwave could not be purchased in two states: Texas and Ohio. In addition, there is a Mossberg manufacturing facility in Eagle Pass.
BATFE does not require this 14" barrel, pistol-grip "firearm" to be registered as an NFA device. The Shockwave has a pistol grip and is classified as a firearm and not, by definition, as a "shotgun".
The Mossberg amendment was added in the Senate by Senator Craig Estes, long-time friend to Texas gun owners. Thanks of course to Senator Charles Perry the Senate sponsor and to Rep. Drew Springer.
Goes into effect Sept. 1st.
Governor Signed (5/26/2017)
**Online LTC Course
HB3784 by Representative Justin Holland (R-Rockwall and Senator Van Taylor (R-Plano) Creates an optional online course for the Texas LTC course. The shooting portion must be done with a DPS certified instructor.
Goes into effect Sept. 1st
Governor signed (6/15/2017)
**Church Volunteer Security
HB421 by Representative Matt Rinaldi (R-Irving) Relating to the exemption from the application of the Private Security Act of certain persons who provide security services on a volunteer basis at a place of religious worship.
The original bill didn't get far enough in the process to pass on its own but was successfully amended to SB2065 by Senator Kelly Hancock (R-N. Richland Hills) Check out the amendment on page 51 of the bill Click on the link above for SB2065 and go to page 51 of the host bill to find the amended language. Goes into effect Sept. 1st.

Governor signed (6/15/2017)

**Primary-Secondary
Teacher Parking Lot

HB1692 by Representative Cole Hefner (R-Mount Pleasant) Relating to the transportation and storage of a handgun or other firearm and ammunition by a license holder in a motor vehicle in a parking area of a primary or secondary school.
The legislation protects the jobs of hard-working primary and secondary teachers with an LTC, wishing to have their firearm, stored out of sight, in their personal, locked vehicle on the school's parking lot.This group was not previously covered by the employer parking lot bill from years ago.
Neither the House Bill nor the Senate version, carried by Senator Bryan Hughes (R-Mineola), completed the process but in the last days of session Representative Hefner amended his language onto SB1566 by Senator Lois Kolkhorst (R-Brenham) (Read the amendment on page 11). Click on the link to SB1566 above and find the amendment on page 11. Goes into effect Sept. 1st
Governor signed (6/15/2017)

Go to www.tsrapac.com and check out the website for additional information and a list of anti-gun bills stopped by the Texas Legislature.


Your Texas State Rifle Association
All about Texas gun owners since 1919.
Join, renew or upgrade your membership at tsra.com or 512-615-4200 and talk with Kim. Don't forget the TSRA-PAC. The election cycle is just around the corner.

And as always,
Keep the faith.
Alice Tripp
Legislative Director
Texas State Rifle Association




Regards,
hm
 
Back
Top