"Relating to the notice required to be posted at a hospital or nursing home prohibiting the carrying of a handgun by a person licensed to carry a concealed handgun." Modifies an obsolete sign CHL holders are not required to observe. TEXT
SB 404, Armbrister, 02/04/99
"Relating to the eligibility of a retired peace officer for a license to carry a concealed handgun." Removes the requirement to apply for a CHL within a year of retirement. See HB 825. TEXT
"Relating to a background check of a person who applies for certification as a qualified handgun instructor." Lets DPS refuse to certify instructors with criminal records. TEXT
HB 635, Allen, 01/13/99
"Relating to the offense of taking or attempting to take a weapon from a peace officer, parole officer, or community supervision and corrections department officer." Expands the law enforcement categories covered by the offense. TEXT
HB 957, Uher, 01/26/99, In the Senate, Received from the House
"Relating to the law enforcement authority and status of a reserve deputy, reserve deputy constable, and reserve municipal police officer." Expands the definition of peace officer to include reserve officers. TEXT
HB 1269, Goodman, 02/08/99
"Relating to the mandatory detention of a juvenile for engaging in certain conduct." Requires that a child who has engaged in conduct involving the use, possession, or exhibition of a firearm be detained until a detention hearing. TEXT
HB 1828, Christian, 02/25/99
"Relating to the enforcement of certain poaching laws by a justice court." Adds Justice Court to the list of courts that can handle a poaching offense. Adds a provision for disposing of unclaimed property if the owner cannot be found. TEXT
HB 2303, Hope, 03/04/99
"Relating to the penalty for possession of a live game animal." Changes the penalty for possession of a live game animal from a Class B to a Class C Parks and Wildlife Misdemeanor. TEXT
HB 2526, Cuellar, 03/10/99
"Relating to the penalty for poaching." Raises the criminal penalties for poaching, up to and including State Jail Felony for subsequent violations. TEXT
HB 2825, Isett, 03/10/99
"Relating to the definitions of various types of weapons for the purposes of criminal prosecutions and to a defense to prosecution for certain weapon offenses." Under present law the term "firearm" doesn't include antiques or curios made before 1899. This law also excludes replicas of such firearms, and makes it legal to carry a bowie knife or sword in a historical demonstration or ceremony in which the knife or sword is significant. See SB 1681. TEXT
HB 2869, Capelo / et al., 03/15/99
"Relating to the requirement that a child provide certain information to a juvenile probation officer as a condition of probation for certain offenses involving a handgun." Requires that a juvenile adjudicated for a firearm related offense tell the probation department where and how the firearm was obtained. TEXT
"Relating to certain suits against firearms or ammunition manufacturers, trade associations, or sellers." Prohibits bringing suit against firearm or ammunition manufacturers, trade associations, or sellers for the lawful design, manufacture, marketing, or sale of firearms or ammunition to the public, unless approved by a majority of the Legislature. See HB 1716. TEXT
SB 1729, Ellis, Rodney, 03/12/99, Referred to Education
"Relating to the possession or carrying of weapons on certain premises associated with a school or educational institution; providing penalties." Prohibits carrying on any school property, including public parking areas, sidewalks and streets. See HB 860. TEXT
SB 1683, Bernsen, 03/15/99, Referred to Criminal Justice
"Relating to the prosecution of the offense of unlawfully carrying a handgun, illegal knife, or club." Present law says that "Section 46.02 does not apply to a person who:" and lists law enforcement, travelers, CHLs, etc. This bill changes that to "It is an exception to the application of Section 46.02 that the person:" etc. (See HB 2826) TEXT
SB 921, Wentworth, 03/05/99, Referred to State Affairs
"Relating to the applicability to judicial officers of certain prohibitions against the carrying of handguns or other weapons." Authorizes judges to carry firearms anywhere a peace officer can, with no training or certification. TEXT
SB 826, Lindsay, 03/03/99, Left pending in committee
"Relating to the carrying of a handgun onto the premises of a church, synagogue, or other established place of worship by a concealed handgun license holder." Prohibits carrying by a CHL in a place of worship. See HB 815. TEXT
SB 588, Nelson, 02/17/99, Referred to Public Safety
"Relating to the suspension of a license to carry a concealed handgun issued to a person who commits family violence." A magistrate may require DPS to suspend a CHL when issuing a protective order for family violence. Allows the magistrate to suspend the license, which means DPS won't revoke the license. See HB 821. TEXT
HB 3529, Coleman, 03/12/99, Referred to Public Safety
"Relating to the eligibility of a licensed private investigator for a license to carry a concealed handgun." Establishes a procedure for a Licensed Private Investigator to qualify for a CHL. TEXT
HB 3528, Coleman, 03/12/99, Referred to Public Safety
"Relating to the places where certain private investigators may carry a concealed handgun." Allows private investigators with CHLs to carry on property posted with a 30.06 warning, and parts of a correctional facility. TEXT
HB 3398, Hupp, 03/12/99, Referred to Criminal Jurisprudence
"Relating to repealing the offense for the unlawful carrying of weapons." Repeals Section 46.02, and allows anyone to carry a handgun except in the places listed in Section 46.03, where it is illegal to carry any firearm. TEXT
HB 2927, Walker, 03/11/99
"Relating to the definition of "traveling" in the exception to the offense of unlawful carry of a handgun." Defines "traveling" as at least 30 miles one-way per trip, along with incidental stops necessary to the trip, or a trip made with intent to stay overnight. TEXT
HB 2826, Isett, 03/10/99, Referred to Criminal Jurisprudence
"Relating to the prosecution of the offense of unlawfully carrying a handgun, illegal knife, or club." Present law says that "Section 46.02 does not apply to a person who:" and lists law enforcement, travelers, CHLs, etc. This bill changes that to "It is an exception to the application of Section 46.02 that the person:" etc. (See SB 1683) TEXT
HB 2595, Uresti, 03/10/99, Referred to Public Safety
"Relating to the applicability of certain weapons offenses to a judge or justice." Allows judges to carry anywhere a law enforcement officer can provided the judge has a CHL, holds a law enforcement firearms certificate, or takes a course to be set up for judges only. TEXT
HB 2323, Jones, Charles, 03/05/99, Referred to Public Safety
"Relating to the applicability of the offense of unlawfully carrying a weapon to certain persons carrying a handgun in a motor vehicle." Allows any person who is 21 and not a felon to carry a concealed handgun in a motor vehicle. Requires that the person has a means of locking the firearm up when not in the vehicle. TEXT
HB 2257, Allen, 03/04/99, Referred to Public Safety
"Relating to the issuance by the Texas Department of Public Safety of special permits authorizing concealed handgun license holders and other individuals to carry weapons in certain restricted areas." Enables DPS to issue a license to any person giving that person permission to carry any firearm anywhere in the state. There are no training requirements. TEXT
HB 2240, Hupp, 03/04/99, Referred to Public Safety
"Relating to establishing a procedure for a person to renew the person's driver's license and the person's license to carry a concealed handgun at the same time." Extends the time between renewals to six years, and provides a voluntary procedure to synchronize renewing CHLs and drivers licenses. TEXT
HB 2154, King, Phil, 03/03/99, Referred to Criminal Jurisprudence
"Relating to the possession or carrying of weapons on certain premises associated with a school or educational institution; providing penalties." Adds public or private parking, driving, and walking areas in the premises where it is illegal to carry a firearm. Provides an exemption for CHLS legally carrying; and for persons with long guns provided the long gun is kept in a car, and the person is stopping temporarily on the way to or returning from a sporting activity. TEXT
HB 1776, Uher, 02/24/99, Referred to Public Safety
"Relating to certain eligibility requirements for a license to carry a concealed handgun and to the procedures for denial, suspension, or revocation of a license." Under this bill conviction for a Class C Misdemeanor, or a Class B Misdemeanor except for Unlawful Restraint or Terroristic Threat, would no longer be a disqualification for a CHL. The bill also changes the appeal process for suspension or revocation from the local JP court to a hearing conducted by the State Office of Administrative Hearings. It imposes the requirement to wait two years before applying for a new license to licenses which have been surrendered as well as those revoked. TEXT
HB 1771, Hawley, 02/24/99, Referred to Criminal Jurisprudence
"Relating to the punishment for the offense of trespassing." Moves the charge of trespassing, under Section 30.05, while carrying a deadly weapon from Class A Misdemeanor to State Jail Felony. May not affect trespass by a CHL. TEXT
HB 1621, Turner, Bob / et al., 02/18/99, Referred to Public Safety
"Relating to providing to honorably discharged veterans an exemption from the fee required for a license to carry a concealed handgun." Waves the fee for original, duplicate or modified CHLs for honorably discharged veterans. TEXT
HB 1165, Hupp, 02/03/99, Referred to Public Safety
"Relating to the confidentiality of certain records maintained by the Department of Public Safety regarding persons licensed to carry a concealed handgun." Rescends the provision where the Texas Department of Public Safety will, if any person submits to them a name or list of names, disclose whether the persons named have a CHL. The information will still be available to criminal justice agencies. TEXT
HB 1035, Hupp, 01/28/99, Referred to Public Safety
"Relating to the application to certain persons of the prohibition against the carrying of a concealed handgun on the premises of an institution of higher education." Allows a CHL to carry a concealed handgun on the physical premises of an institution of higher education, except where a collegiate sporting event or interscholastic event is taking place. TEXT
HB 1021, Hupp, 01/27/99, Referred to Public Safety
"Relating to the notice provided to local law enforcement agencies regarding the issuance of a license to carry a concealed handgun." Removes the requirement to automatically notify the sheriff of a county of the CHLs in the county. Leaves in place the ability of any local law enforcement agency to request the information. TEXT
HB 1020, Hupp, 01/26/99 Referred to Public Safety
"Relating to the age at which certain persons are eligible for a license to carry a concealed handgun." A person who is a member of the armed forces, reserves, national guard or state militia can get a CHL at age 18. TEXT
HB 905, King, Phil, 01/25/99 Referred to Criminal Jurisprudence
"Relating to the possession or carrying of weapons on certain premises associated with a school or educational institution; providing penalties." Redefines Premises to prohibit carrying firearms on any school property, including public parking areas, sidewalks and streets, but contains an exception allowing concealed carry by license holders. TEXT
HB 860, Dukes, 01/21/99 Referred to Criminal Jurisprudence
"Relating to the possession or carrying of weapons on certain premises associated with a school or educational institution; providing penalties." Prohibits carrying on any school property, including public parking areas, sidewalks and streets. See SB 1729. TEXT
HB 821, Tillery / et al., 01/20/99, Left pending in committee
"Relating to the suspension of a license to carry a concealed handgun issued to a person who commits family violence." Authorizes a court issuing a family violence protective order to suspend a CHL. Allows the magistrate to suspend the license, which means DPS won't revoke the license. See SB 588. TEXT
HB 815, Jones, Jesse, 01/20/99 Referred to Public Safety
"Relating to the offense of the unlawful carrying of a handgun by a license holder on the premises of certain places of religious worship." Prohibits carrying in a church, synagogue or recognized place of worship. See SB 826. TEXT
HB 305, Hupp, 11/23/98 Referred to Public Safety
"Relating to the applicability to judicial officers of certain prohibitions against the carrying of handguns or other weapons." Authorizes judges to carry firearms anywhere a peace officer can, with no training or certification. TEXT
HB 2309, Hochberg, 03/04/99, Referred to Criminal Jurisprudence
"Relating to paramilitary training organizations; providing a criminal penalty." Defines as "Civil disorder" an act committed by three or more people, involving violence, that damages property or causes injury or danger of injury. A "Paramilitary organization" is a group of three or more persons organized on a military pattern who possess firearms or explosive weapons and train in the use of or teach the use of the firearms or explosive weapons to others for the purpose of committing an offense. Prohibits one person from training another or three people gathering for training with the reasonable knowledge that the training is for committing an offense. It does not prohibit "lawful hunting, fishing, or other sporting activity." Violation is a State Jail felony. Being a member of such an organization is a Class C misdemeanor. TEXT
HB 742, Eiland, 01/18/99, Referred to Criminal Jurisprudence
"Relating to the creation of the offense of using, carrying, or exhibiting a firearm during the commission of certain felonies and to the sentencing of a defendant convicted of the offense." Adds five years to the sentence if convicted of murder, assault, rape, or robbery. TEXT
HB 201, Burnam, 11/13/98, Referred to Criminal Jurisprudence
"Relating to the punishment for the offense of deadly conduct involving a firearm." Makes recklessly endangering a group of people, building or auto with a firearm a first degree felony instead of a third degree felony. Recklessly endangering with anything else is a Class A misdemeanor. TEXT
HB 3311, Merritt, 03/11/99, Referred to State Recreational Resources
"Relating to allowing crossbows to be used for hunting during archery season." Presently during archery season crossbows may only be used by persons with upper limb disabilities. This bill allows anyone to use them. TEXT
HB 3198, Ramsay, 03/11/99, Referred to State Recreational Resources
"Relating to access to a lake or pond surrounded by privately owned land; providing a penalty." Under this bill TPWD could regulate access to ponds on private property to prevent hunting or fishing violations, prevent littering, or protect animal or plant species. Violation would be a Class C Misdemeanor. TEXT
HB 3144, Kuempel, 03/15/99, Referred to Environmental Regulation
"Relating to the land application of municipal sewage sludge." Includes hunters who hold leases on property as interested persons in a matter of the land application of sewage sludge. TEXT
HB 3080, Kuempel, 03/15/99, Referred to Civil Practices
"Relating to liability of volunteers in certain hunting activities." Reduces the civil liability of volunteers in organized youth hunting activities. TEXT
HB 2973, Staples, 03/11/99, Referred to State Recreational Resources
"Relating to regulating the taking of coyotes as fur-bearing animals." Adds coyotes to the list of fur-bearing animals. TEXT
HB 1947, Staples, 03/01/99 Referred to State Recreational Resources
"Relating to allowing a landowner to take a depredating fur-bearing animal without a hunting or trapping license." Allows a landowner or the landowner's agent to kill a fur-bearing animal that is causing depredation on the landowner's land without a hunting or trapper's license. TEXT
HB 1789, Turner, Bob, 02/24/99 Reported favorably as substituted
"Relating to the use of stored water for wildlife management on a person's property." The law presently allows the construction of a pond of less than 200 acre-feet on a person's own property for domestic or livestock purposes without a permit. This bill adds commercial or noncommercial wildlife management purposes, including fishing. TEXT
HB 1596, Deshotel, 02/18/99Referred to State Recreational Resources
"Relating to certain exemptions from hunting or fishing license fee requirements." Requires that hunting and fishing license fees be waived for persons under 17 or over 65 years of age. TEXT
HB 1555, Turner, Bob, 02/17/99 Referred to State Recreational Resources
"Relating to an exception to the game bird breeder's license requirement." Allows the possession of up to 12 game birds for personal use only. TEXT
HB 979, Janek, 01/26/99 Referred to State Recreational Resources
"Relating to the expiration dates of hunting and fishing licenses." One year hunting and fishing licenses would expire on the first anniversary after they were issued, instead of the end of the license season. TEXT
"Relating to allowing for release and recapture of pen-reared game birds for training hunting dogs; providing a penalty." Requires the banding of pen-reared quail. Allows the use of pen-reared quail only for training hunting dogs. Prohibits harming or injuring pen-reared quail. TEXT
"Relating to the hunting of turkeys." Prohibits the hunting of wild turkeys with any firearm except a shotgun. Removes turkey from the muzzleloading season. TEXT
SB 32, Shapiro, 11/09/98, Scheduled for public hearing
"Relating to the disposition of certain juveniles who unlawfully possess a firearm or use a firearm in conduct that constitutes an offense." Requires that juveniles who illegally carry a firearm be placed in juvenile detention for one to 90 days. See HB 390. TEXT
HB 2929, Walker, 03/11/99, Referred to Criminal Jurisprudence
"Relating to the offense of making a firearm accessible to a child." Modifies the law against making a firearm accessable to a child to exclude situations where the child was supervised by someone over the age of 16, or when the firearm legally belongs to the child and was acquired with consent of the child's parents or guardians. (See SB 1682) TEXT
HB 816, Jones, Jesse, 01/20/99 Left pending in committee
"Relating to the suspension or denial of a driver's license or permit to certain children who use or possess a firearm while in a motor vehicle." Requires a court to suspend or deny a juvenile's driver's license if the juvenile commits an offense while having a firearm in a motor vehicle. The suspension would be for two years or until the person is 18, whichever is longer. TEXT
HB 390, Tillery, 12/09/98 Referred to Juvenile Justice & Family Issues
"Relating to the disposition of certain juveniles who unlawfully possess a firearm." Requires 60 days in juvenile detention for any juvenile caught illegally carrying a firearm. See SB 32. TEXT
"Relating to the prosecution of and the punishment for the offense of unlawful transfer of certain weapons." Prohibits sales of firearms to persons under 17 even with parental permission. TEXT
"Relating to creating the offense of unlawful possession of certain firearms by a minor." Persons under 17 could not possess any firearm unless they are participating in a firearms activity or travelling directly to or from the event, or they are accompanied by parents or guardians. The minor would have to have a hunting license at a firearms activity even if the activity didn't require it. See HB 186. TEXT
"Relating to creating the offense of unlawful possession of certain firearms by a minor." Persons under 17 could not possess any firearm unless they are participating in a firearms activity or travelling directly to or from the event, or they are accompanied by parents or guardians. See HB 199. TEXT
HB 53, Cuellar, 11/09/98 Left pending in committee
"Relating to firearm searches of certain persons placed on probation by a juvenile court, released under supervision by the Texas Youth Commission, or released on parole." Juveniles on probation for firearm related offenses could be searched for firearms by parole or law enforcement officers. TEXT
HB 2644, Uher, 03/09/99, Referred to Public Safety
"Relating to the eligibility of a retired peace officer for a license to carry a concealed handgun." Removes the one year window for law enforcement officers to apply for a CHL under the law enforcement provisions, and adds to the definition of retired. TEXT
HB 1288, King, Tracy, 02/09/99, Considered in Calendars
"Relating to authorizing certain juvenile probation officers to carry firearms." Authorizes a juvenile probation officer, who has received firearms training, to carry a handgun on duty. TEXT
HB 915, Wilson, 01/25/99, Referred to Public Safety
"Relating to the applicability of certain weapons offenses to conservators of the peace." Lets other conservators of the peace carry where peace officers can. TEXT
HB 906, King, Phil, 01/25/99, Referred to Public Safety
"Relating to the applicability of certain weapons offenses to a reserve law enforcement officer." Lets reserve law enforcement officers carry where peace officers can. TEXT
HB 825, Carter, 01/20/99, Referred to Public Safety
"Relating to the eligibility of a retired peace officer for a license to carry a concealed handgun." Eliminates the one year limit for a retired peace officer to apply for a CHL. See SB 404. TEXT
HB 191, Longoria, 11/13/98, Referred to Public Safety
"Relating to commissions for certain retired peace officers and the authority of those officers to carry certain weapons." Allows retired peace officers to carry. TEXT
"Relating to the liability in relation to and regulation of the ownership, operation, and use of sport shooting ranges." Grandfathers shooting ranges by exempting them from new or amended noise regulation. Persons using a range accept the risk of using the range. The range can still be sued for negligence. TEXT
"Relating to construction and operation of outdoor shooting ranges; providing penalties." This bill, as filed, is 12 pages long. It removes from the current definition of "sport shooting range" the clause "for a fee or other remuneration." Existing law applies only to commercial ranges in or closely adjoining metropolitan areas, and requires that such ranges meet NRA standards. This bill:
Requires that every range in the state, no matter how rural, including a private range you have built on your own property for your personal use only, must be covered by a $1,000,000 insurance policy and be posted with a sign stating that the owner has such insurance.
Rewrites the regulations for urban ranges. It requires such ranges to be licensed by the state. DPS can conduct unannounced range inspections. The bill describes backstop berms, side berms, ricochet catchers, eyebrows, baffles, etc. that must be installed in these urban ranges. One requirement is that backstop berms must be free of rocks and debris to a depth of 24 inches. Shotguns cannot be fired over a drainage, watercourse, or recharge feature, or other unlined depression. The bill requires an owner to control all access to the range and, if there is an occupied building within the 1000 yard "safety fan" the firing line must be supervised and rifles may only be fired from the benchrest position. It establishes stringent noise pollution standards. It requires regular lead removal from berms and shotgun drop zones. A range cannot be operated before 10:00 AM or after 7:00 PM.
"Relating to the prosecution of the offense of disorderly conduct involving unreasonable noise." Makes an exception for sport shooting ranges when dealing with unreasonable noise. This law is not on the Weapons or Hunting pages. TEXT
"Relating to the creation of the offense of discharging a firearm at a sport shooting range while intoxicated." Penalizes both a shooter and the range owner for shooting while intoxicated. TEXT
"Relating to the creation of an offense intended to increase firearm safety." Requires dealers to provide gun locks with each firearm they sell, rent, lease, loan or give. See HB 489. TEXT
"Relating to the reporting of advertisements for the sale of a deadly weapon." Requires the publisher of any printed material where advertising is made available to the public to report to the bureau of identification and records the name, social security number, address and telephone number of anyone advertising a deadly weapon; with a description of the weapon and the text of the ad, within five business days. The bureau will establish a central repository for the collection and analysis of information relating to advertisements for the sale of a deadly weapon in a periodical. TEXT
"Relating to certain suits against firearms or ammunition manufacturers, trade associations, or sellers." Prohibits bringing suit against firearm or ammunition manufacturers, trade associations, or sellers for the lawful design, manufacture, marketing, or sale of firearms or ammunition to the public, unless approved by a majority of the Legislature. See SB 717. TEXT
HB 1561, Green, 02/17/99 Referred to Civil Practices
"Relating to the authority of governmental entities to bring suit against a firearms or ammunition manufacturer, trade association, or seller." Prohibits bringing suit against firearm or ammunition manufacturers, trade associations, or sellers for the lawful design, manufacture, marketing, or sale of firearms or ammunition to the public, unless filed by the Attorney General. TEXT
"Relating to the creation of an offense prohibiting certain firearm sales at gun shows." Defines 'gun show' and makes it a third degree felony for any person to sell or trade a firearm at a gun show to someone who does not have a CHL, unless a Brady check is run. TEXT
"Relating to the creation of an offense intended to increase firearm safety." Requires dealers to provide gun locks with each firearm they sell, rent, lease, loan or give. See SB 316. TEXT
SB 1322, Wentworth, 03/15/99, Referred to Intergovernmental Relations
"Relating to county regulation of firearms in unincorporated areas." The County government may regulate or prohibit the discharge of firearms on a piece of property of 20 acres or less in an unincorporated area of the county. TEXT
SB 665, West, Royce, 02/25/99, Referred to Criminal Justice
"Relating to the definition of "deadly weapon" for purposes of the prosecution of certain offenses." Changes the definition of 'deadly weapon' from anything capable of causing death or serious bodily injury to anything used with the intent to cause death or serious bodily injury. Does not affect firearms. TEXT
SB 66, Harris, 11/25/98 Left pending in committee
"Relating to exempting gun safes from the sales tax." Exempts gun safes from the Texas sales tax. See also HB 730. TEXT
HB 3789, Hunter, 03/18/99, Referred to Criminal Jurisprudence
"Relating to a defense to prosecution for certain weapons offenses." Allows a person who is disabled to carry a club. TEXT
HB 2984, Moreno, Joe, 03/11/99, Referred to Criminal Jurisprudence
"Relating to the definition of "deadly weapon" for purposes of the prosecution of certain offenses." Changes the definition of "Deadly Weapon" from something capable of causing serious injury to something used with the intent to cause serious injury. TEXT
HB 1000, Farrar, 01/27/99 Referred to Criminal Jurisprudence
"Relating to the creation of the offense of failing to report the loss or theft of a firearm." Requires that the loss or theft of a firearm be reported to the sheriff of the county where the firearm was lost or stolen within 10 days of the discovery of the loss or theft. Failure to do so would be a Class C Misdemeanor. TEXT
HB 786, Christian, 01/20/99 Referred to Criminal Jurisprudence
"Relating to displaying a deadly weapon in order to hinder an official proceeding or prevent or disrupt a lawful meeting, gathering, or procession; providing penalties." Makes it a crime to hinder a government proceeding or a lawful public meeting or procession by displaying a deadly weapon in plain view. The person will first be asked to leave. This will be a state jail felony. TEXT
HB 730, Thompson, 01/18/99 Subcommittee members named
"Relating to exempting gun safes from the sales tax." Exempts gun safes from the Texas sales tax. See also SB 66. TEXT
HB 699, Wilson, 01/15/99 Referred to Transportation
"Relating to warning visitors to Mexico of Mexican laws prohibiting transportation of firearms and ammunition." Requires posting of signs at Mexico/U.S. border crossing warning about Mexican gun laws. TEXT