TSRAPAC

TSRA Agenda for 2013*

Note: Many additional pro-gun bills were filed this session. Anti-gun bills were filed also. Alerts will go out as needed if legislation requires members attention either at the committee level or before a floor vote.

83rd Session of the Texas Legislature

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 below:

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. 4/25/13 SB 182 has not been heard in Senate Crim. Jus Committee. HB 972 (as amended) has passed in the Texas House 5/6/13 and Passed out of Senate Criminal Justice Committee 5/14/13. Remember it takes a 2/3s vote to bring any piece of legislation to the Senate floor for discussion. The vote to passage is a simple majority. Texas has 19 Republican State Senators.  We need 21 votes to get HB 972 to the floor of the Texas Senate!

Open Carry

HB 700 by Rep. George Lavender would allow the holstered open carry of a handgun with a concealed carry license. 4/25/13 heard in committee in March but not allowed a committee vote by the committee chairman. No senate companion.

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. 4/25/13 SB299 passed on the floor of the Senate and has moved into the House. SB 299 was substituted for House bill, passed in the Texas House 5/6/13 and is on its way to the Governor's desk.

Concealed Carry Updates

HB 47 by Rep. Dan Flynn/ SB 864 by Sen. Donna Campbell would reduce the number of hours for the initial CHL class. Expect a committee substitute with the change "not less than four or more than six". Nothing about the current CHL program or materials covered will change. The requirement for range qualification is still in place as always. However, for the first time the theory portion of the class, not the time spent on the range, is all that is covered by the required hours. An instructor will spend 4-6 hours on the class room portion of the program and as much time on the range for the range proficiency exam as needed for the safety and comfort of his class. SB 864 by Campbell passed on the floor of the Senate and has been reported to the House, as filed. SB 864 was substituted in for HB 47, passed in the Texas House 5/6/13 and is on its way to the Governor's desk.

HB 153 by Rep. Van Taylor/SB 707 by Sen. Paxton would set intoxication for a CHL at .08 blood-alcohol, the same for a motorist. 4/25/13 passed in House committee and is sitting in Calendars waiting to be sent for the House floor. Senate bill has not had a committee hearing. No further movement. 4/25/13

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).  HB 508 is on the Senate Intent Calendar for Monday, May 20.

HB 698 by Rep.Springer requires access to digital fingerprinting not more than 25 miles from the applicant's residence. This bill was amended to be limited to counties with a population of 46,000 or less, passed on the House floor 5/6/13. The Senate Sponsor is expected to be Senator Craig Estes (R-Wichita Falls). Passed from Senate Criminal Justice Committee on 5/14/13 and is recommended for the local and uncontested Senate Calendar for Monday, May 20.

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. Now on the Senate Intent Calendar for Monday, May 20.

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. SB 343 has been heard in Sen. Crim. Jus. Committee. HB 1421 passed on the House floor 5/6/13. Passed in the Senate and is headed for Governor Perry's desk.

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. Headed for the Governor's Desk