BILL ANALYSIS


                                                      C.S.S.B. 60
                                                    By: Patterson
                                                 Criminal Justice
                                                         03-24-95
                                   Committee Report (Substituted)

BACKGROUND

Currently, Texas citizens are not permitted to carry concealed
handguns.  Thirty-eight of the other states have a right-to-carry
law, which requires a permit or license to carry a concealed
handgun.

PURPOSE

As proposed, C.S.S.B. 60 authorizes a person to complete a
specified training and receive certification by the Texas
Department of Public Safety in order to obtain a license granting
the ability to carry a concealed handgun.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that rulemaking authority is granted
to the director of the Department of Public Safety in SECTION 1
(Title 70, Article 4413(29ee), Sections 9(b), 10(b), 15(a) and (c),
20,V.T.C.S.); and to the Department of Public Safety in SECTION 1
(Title 70, Article 4413(29ee), V.T.C.S., Sections 5(e), 15(c),
16(a), 17(a) and (d), and 28); and SECTION 3(b) of this bill.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
    
SECTION 1.  Amends Title 70, V.T.C.S., by adding Article
4413(29ee), as follows:
     
        Art.  4413(29ee).  LICENSE TO CARRY A CONCEALED HANDGUN
     Sec. 1.  DEFINITIONS.  Defines "action," "chemically dependent
     person," "concealed handgun," "convicted," "department,"
     "director," "handgun," "intoxicated," "qualified handgun
     instructor," and "unsound mind."
     
     Sec. 2.  ELIGIBILITY.  (a)  Establishes the qualifications for
     a person to be eligible for a license to carry a concealed
     handgun (license).
            
                 (b)  Provides that an offense under this section is a felony
       if a confinement of one or more years in a penitentiary is
       affixed to the offense and a Class A or misdemeanor if the
       offense is not a felony.
       
       (c)  Requires an individual who has been convicted two times
       of a Class B misdemeanor or greater to be deemed to be a
       person who is chemically dependant and is not qualified to
       receive a license.  Provides that nothing in this subsection
       shall preclude the disqualification of an individual for
       being a chemically dependant person if other evidence exists
       that the person is a chemically dependant person.
     Sec. 3.  APPLICATION.  (a)  Requires an applicant for a
     license to submit certain items to the director's designee
     (designee).       
       (b)  Sets forth the information required on the application.
       
       (c)  Requires the department to distribute on request a copy
       of this article and application materials.
     Sec. 4.  REQUEST FOR APPLICATION MATERIALS.  (a)  Requires a
     person applying for a license to apply by obtaining from a
     handgun dealer or the department a request for application
     materials.  Sets forth the required contents of the
     application materials.  Requires an individual who desires to
     receive application materials to complete the request for
     application materials and forward it to the department at its
     Austin address.  Requires the department to review all such
     requests for application materials and make a preliminary
     determination as to whether or not the individual is qualified
     to receive a license.  Requires the department to forward to
     the individual the appropriate application materials. 
     Requires the applicant to complete the application materials
     and forward the completed materials to the department at its
     Austin address.
     
     (b)  Requires the department to send written notification to
       an individual who is indicated in a review that the person
       is not qualified to receive a license.
     Sec. 5.  LICENSE.  (a)  Authorizes the department to issue a
     license to an applicant if the applicant meets all the
     eligibility requirements and submits all the application
     materials.  Authorizes the department to issue a license only
     for categories indicated on the applicant's certificate of
     proficiency.  Requires the department to administer the
     licensing procedures in good faith.  Prohibits the department
     from arbitrarily denying application.
       (b)(1)  Requires the department, after January 1, 1997, to
       issue the license or notify the applicant in writing that
       the grounds for denial within 60 days after receipt of the
       application materials.
       
       (2)  Requires the department to perform the duties set out
         in this subsection not later than the 90th day after the
         date of the receipt by the director's designee of the
         completed application materials between the effective date
         of this article and December 31, 1996. d
       (c)  Requires the department to notify the sheriff of the
       county in which the license holder resides that a license
       has been issued.  Requires the department to provide a list
       of all license holders in a county, on request of a local
       law enforcement agency.
       
       (d)  Provides that a license issued under this article is
       effective from the date of issuance.
       
       (e)  Requires the department, by rule, to adopt the form of
       the license, which must include: a license number, the
       effective and expiration dates, types of guns, photograph,
       and other personal information.
       
       (f)  Provides that a category of handguns contains handguns
       of certain actions.  Establishes the categories of handguns.
       
       (g)  Requires the license holder to display both the
       department-issued license and a driver's license to any law
       enforcement or judicial authority upon request.
       
       (h)  Requires the license holder to display both the
       department-issued license and a driver's license if the
       license holder is carrying a handgun on or about the license
       holder's person, if any law enforcement or judicial
       authority requests such action.
       
       (i)  Provides that a person who does not comply with
       Subsection (g) or (h) commits a Class C misdemeanor.
       
     Sec. 6.  NOTIFICATION OF DENIAL, REVOCATION, OR SUSPENSION OF
     LICENSE; REVIEW.  (a)  Requires the department to give written
     notice to each applicant for a license of any denial,
     revocation, or suspension of that license.  Authorizes the
     applicant or license holder to request a hearing on the
     denial, revocation, or suspension within 30 days of receipt of
     the notice.  Sets forth the required procedures and provisions
     of a hearing for the review of a denial, revocation, or
     suspension of a licensee or applicant.
       (b)  Requires the department to file the appropriate
       petition in the justice court selected for the hearing and
       send a copy of that petition to the applicant or license
       holder at the address contained in departmental records. 
       Sets forth the required procedures and provisions of a
       hearing for the review of a denial, revocation, or
       suspension of a licensee or applicant.
       
       (c)  Provides that upon receipt of the application materials
       by the department, the department will conduct the
       appropriate criminal history record check of the applicant
       through its computerized history system.  Requires the
       application materials to be forwarded to the designee in the
       geographical area of the applicant's residence to conduct
       the required investigation within 30 days of receipt of the
       materials.
       
       (d)  Requires the designee in the appropriate geographical
       area to conduct an additional criminal history record check
       of the applicant and an investigation of the applicant's
       local official records to verify the accuracy of the
       application materials.  Provides that the scope of the
       record check and the investigation are at the sole
       discretion of the department.  Requires the designee to
       return all materials and the result of the investigation to
       the appropriate division of the department.  Authorizes the
       designee submit to the appropriate division of the
       department along with the application materials a written
       recommendation for disapproval of the application,
       accompanied by an affidavit stating personal knowledge or
       naming persons with personal knowledge of a ground for
       denial.  Authorizes the designee to submit the application
       and the recommendation that the license be issued.
       
       (e)  Sets forth the procedures of the hearing.  Requires the
       denial, revocation, or suspension to be upheld if the action
       is supported by a preponderance of the evidence.  Requires
       the license immediately to be reissued if the action is not
       supported by a preponderance of the evidence.
       
       (f)  Provides that a proceeding under this section is
       subject to Chapter 105, Civil Practice and Remedies Code,
       relating to fees, expenses, and attorney's fees.
       
       (g)  Authorizes a person to appeal the ruling of the court
       in Subsection (d).  Establishes the procedure for the
       appeal.
       
       (h)  Prohibits a suspension of a license from being
       probated.
       
       (i)  Provides that a denial is final and a revocation or
       suspension takes effect on the 30th day after receipt of
       written notice if no petition is filed.  Provides that
       failure of the director to issue or deny a license as
       required under Section 5(b) of this article for a period of
       more than 30 days after the director is required to act
       under that section constitutes denial.
       
       (j)  Provides that the department is specifically authorized
       to utilize and to introduce into evidence certified copies
       of governmental records to establish the existence of
       certain events which could result in the denial, revocation,
       or suspension of a license, or other matters that may be
       established by governmental records which have been properly
       authenticated.
       
     Sec. 7.  NOTICE OF CHANGE OF ADDRESS OR NAME.  (a)  Requires
     a person applying for a license or a license holder to notify
     the department of any change of name or address.  Requires the
     notification to include all former names and addresses and the
     license number if a license has been issued.
       (b)-(c)  Require the person to apply for a duplicate license
       if the name of the license holder is to be changed by
       marriage or the person changes residence.
       
       (d)  Requires the department to charge $25 for a duplicate
       license.
       
       (e)  Requires the department to make the forms available
       upon request.
       
       (f)  Requires the department to notify the sheriff of the
       county in which a license holder resides of a change made
       under Subsection (a) of this section, and requires the
       department to release a list of all changes to licenses
       within a county to local law enforcement agencies who
       request such data.
       
       (g)  Requires a person to apply, within a specified period
       of time, for a duplicate license if the person's license is
       lost, stolen, or destroyed.
       
       (h)  Authorizes a person to modify the information on a
       license if a license holder is required to apply for a
       duplicate license and that license does not expire within 60
       days.  Requires the applicant to pay only the nonrefundable
       renewal fee.
       
       Sec. 8.  EXPIRATION.  (a)  Provides that the license expires
     on the first birthday of the license holder occurring after
     the fourth anniversary of the date of issuance.
       (b)  Provides that a renewed license expires on the license
       holder's birthdate, four years after the expiration of the
       previous license.
       
       (c)-(d)  Provide that a duplicate or modified license
       expires on the date on the license that was duplicated or
       modified.
       
     Sec. 9.  MODIFICATION.  (a)  Requires a person, in order to
     modify a license, to complete a proficiency examination,
     obtain a handgun proficiency certificate within a specified
     period, and submit certain items to the department.
       (b)  Requires the director, by rule, to adopt a modified
       license application form requiring an update of the
       information on the original completed application.
       
       (c)  Authorizes the department to modify the license of a
       license holder who meets all the eligibility requirements
       and submits the proper materials.  Requires the department
       to notify the license holder in writing that the modified
       license application was approved or denied by a specified
       time.
       
       (d)  Requires a license holder to return the previously
       issued license to the department upon receipt of a modified
       license.
       
     Sec. 10.  RENEWAL.  (a)  Provides procedures required for
     obtaining a renewed license.
       (b)  Requires the director, by rule, to adopt a renewal
       application form and to set the renewal fee.  Requires the
       department to mail to each license holder a written notice
       of the expiration of the license and a renewal form within
       a specified period. 
       
       (c)  Requires the department to renew a qualified license
       holder's license.  Requires the department to issue or deny
       the renewal in writing within 45 days after receipt of the
       renewal materials.
       
       Sec. 11.  REVOCATION.  (a)  Authorizes a license to be revoked
     under certain conditions.
       (b)  Requires a peace officer to prepare an affidavit to
       request the department's revocation of a license.  Requires
       the officer to mail a copy to the license holder. 
       Authorizes the license holder to petition a justice court to
       review the revocation.  Requires the license holder to
       surrender the license on the date an order of revocation has
       been entered.  Authorizes the license holder to request that
       a justice court review the revocation.  Requires the license
       holder to surrender the license on the date an order of
       revocation has been entered by the justice court.
       
       (c)  Requires a license holder whose license has been
       revoked to reapply and establishes the conditions for
       reapplication.
       
     Sec. 12.  SUSPENSION OF LICENSE.  (a) Authorizes the
     department to suspend a license under certain conditions.
       (b)  Requires a peace officer to prepare an affidavit for a
       license suspension and sets forth procedures for the
       suspension.
       
       (c)  Provides that a license may not be suspended for less
       than 90 days and not more than two years.
     Sec. 13.  OFFENSES INVOLVING LICENSE HOLDER CARRYING HANDGUN. 
     (a)  Provides that a person who knowingly carries a handgun
     and fails to conceal the handgun commits a Class A
     misdemeanor.
            (b)-(c)  Provide that a license holder who recklessly
       carries a handgun commits a Class B misdemeanor.  Provides
       that a person who violates Subsection (b)(4) or (b)(9)
       commits a third degree felony.
       
       (d)  Provides that a license holder who carries a handgun at
       any meeting of the governing body of a county, municipality,
       or special district commits a Class A misdemeanor.
       
       (e)  Provides that a license holder who carries a handgun
       while intoxicated commits a Class A misdemeanor.
       
       (f)  Provides that Sections 32.21 and 37.10, Penal Code,
       apply to conduct under this article.
       
       (g)  Provides that a licensed security officer under the
       Private Investigators and Private Security Agencies Act
       (Article 4413(29bb), V.T.C.S.) who commits an offense under
       this article, commits a Class A misdemeanor.
       
       (h)  Requires the license number of the license holder to be
       included in any judgment of conviction entered by a court. 
       Provides that a certified copy of the judgment is sufficient
       evidence to revoke a license.
       
       (i)  Requires a peace officer to seize the license holder's
       weapon and license as evidence if a peace officer arrests a
       license holder who is carrying a handgun under the authority
       of this article for an offense.
     Sec. 14.  LIMITATION OF LIABILITY.  (a)  Prohibits a court
     from holding the state, state official, or a qualified handgun
     instructor (instructor) liable for damages caused by actions
     authorized by this article or actions of an applicant or
     license holder.
       (b)  Prohibits a cause of action in damages from being
       brought against the state, state official, or an instructor
       for any damage caused by the actions of an applicant or
       licensee under this article.
       
       (c)  Grants the department immunity from responsibility for
       any injury or damage inflicted on any person by an applicant
       or license holder arising or alleged to have arisen from an
       action taken by the department.
       
       (d)  Provides that the immunities granted under Subsections
       (a)-(c) do not apply to acts or failures to act by the
       state, an officer of the state, or a peace officer when such
       acts or failures to act were capricious or arbitrary.
       Sec. 15.  HANDGUN PROFICIENCY REQUIREMENT.  (a)  Requires the
     director, by rule, to establish minimum standards, develop a
     course to teach, and create an examination to measure handgun
     proficiency.  Requires the department to distribute the
     standards, course requirements, and examinations to
     instructors who request the material.
       (b)  Sets forth the required curriculum for the handgun
       proficiency course.
       
       (c)  Requires the department, by rule, to develop a
       continuing education course in handgun proficiency and sets
       forth the required curriculum.
       
       (d)  Requires an instructor to administer a proficiency
       examination to obtain or renew a license.  Sets forth the
       required contents of the examination.
       
       (e)  Requires an instructor to administer a physical
       demonstration examination of the specific categories of
       handguns in order to modify license.
       
       (f)  Requires the department to develop and distribute
       directions and materials for the procedures of course
       instruction, test administration, and recordkeeping.
       
       (g)-(h)  Require a person who wishes to obtain or renew a
       license to comply with the rules and procedures set forth by
       this article.
       
       (i)  Authorizes a certified firearms instructor of the
       department to monitor any class or training, inspect any and
       all records, and requires complete cooperation from the
       instructor who is being inspected.
       
       (j)  Requires the department to conduct a study to determine
       the effectiveness and feasibility of allowing an applicant
       to take a written competency examination administered by an
       instructor in lieu of attending the classroom instruction
       required under this section as part of the course.  Requires
       the department to report the findings of the study to the
       legislature not later than January 31, 1997.
       
       Sec. 16.  HANDGUN PROFICIENCY CERTIFICATE.  (a)  Requires the
     department to develop a sequentially numbered handgun
     proficiency certificate and to distribute these certificates
     to instructors who administer proficiency examinations. 
     Authorizes the department, by rule, to set a fee for the
     certificate.
       (b)  Requires the instructor to endorse a certificate of
       handgun proficiency if a person successfully completes the
       requirements as described in Section 15.  Requires the
       certificate to indicate the category of any and all handguns
       in which the applicant demonstrated proficiency.
       
       (c)  Authorizes an instructor to submit a written
       recommendation for disapproval of the application, renewal,
       or modification of a license to the department.  Sets forth
       the required contents of the disapproval notice.
       
     Sec. 17.  QUALIFIED HANDGUN INSTRUCTORS.  (a) Requires the
     director to establish requirements for the certification of an
     instructor.  Authorizes the department, by rule, to waive a
     proficiency demonstration requirement for certification for a
     peace officer or a person who instructs peace officers in the
     use of handguns, or any other class of persons whom by
     occupation or training the department determines to possess
     the required handgun proficiency.
       (b)  Sets forth the qualifications of an instructor.
       
       (c)  Requires the department to provide training to an
       individual who applies for certification as an instructor. 
       Requires the applicant to pay a $100 fee.  Requires the
       department to certify a person who completes the required
       training and pays the required fee.  Authorizes the
       department, by rule, to prorate or waive the fee for an
       employee of another governmental entity.
       
       (d)  Requires the instructor to retest and pay a $50 fee
       annually to maintain certification and otherwise provides
       that the certification of an instructor expires on the third
       anniversary after the date of certification.
       
       (e)  Authorizes an instructor to conduct training classes
       after certification as an instructor.
       
       (f)  Requires the department to revoke, suspend, or deny a
       certification to an instructor if the department determines
       that a reason exists for an instructor's license to be
       revoked, suspended, or denied, regardless of whether the
       person has a license.
       
       Sec. 18.  REVIEW OF DENIAL, REVOCATION, OR SUSPENSION OF
     CERTIFICATION AS QUALIFIED HANDGUN INSTRUCTOR.  Provides that
     the procedures for and the notice provisions relating to the
     review of a denial, revocation, or suspension of a license
     under Section 6 of this article apply to the review of a
     denial, revocation, or suspension of  certification as an
     instructor.  
     Sec. 19.  CONFIDENTIALITY OF RECORDS.  Authorizes the
     department to disclose to a criminal justice agency
     information contained in its files and records regarding
     whether an individual is licensed.  Authorizes the department
     to disclose to any other individual whether an individual is
     licensed.  Provides that all other records maintained under
     this article are confidential and are not subject to mandatory
     disclosure under the open records law except that the
     applicant or license holder may be furnished a copy of such
     disclosable records on request and the payment of a reasonable
     fee.  Provides that nothing in this section shall prevent the
     department from making public and distributing to the public
     at no cost lists of individuals who are certified as
     instructors by the department.
     
     Sec. 20.  RULES.  Requires the director to adopt rules to
     administer this article.
     
     Sec. 21.  FUNDS.  Requires the department to forward the fees
     collected under this article to the comptroller of public
     accounts.  Sets forth the procedure for deposit and
     appropriation of the funds.
     
     Sec. 22.  NOTICE.  (a)  Authorizes the department to assume
     the address currently reported is the correct address.
       (b)  Provides that a written notice meets the requirements
       under this article if the notice is sent by certified mail
       to the current address of the applicant or license holder.
       
       (c)  Authorizes the department to give notice by publication
       once in a newspaper of general interest in the county of the
       license holder's last reported address if the notice is
       returned as not deliverable.  Authorizes the department to
       take the action proposed on or after the 31st day of
       publication.
       
     Sec. 23.  METHOD OF PAYMENT.  Establishes criteria for valid
     payment of fees.  Provides that all fees under this article
     are nonrefundable.
     
     Sec. 24.  LICENSE A BENEFIT.  Provides that the issuance of a
     license under this article is a benefit to the license holder
     for purposes of those sections of the Penal Code to which the
     definition of "benefit" under Section 1.07, Penal Code, apply.
     
     Sec. 25.  HONORABLY RETIRED PEACE OFFICERS.  (a)  Authorizes
     a person licensed as a peace officer under Chapter 415,
     Government Code, to apply for a license on retirement. 
     Requires the application to be made within 90 days of
     retirement.
                 (b)  Sets forth the necessary contents of the retired peace
       officer's application.
       (c)  Authorizes the department to issue a license to an
       applicant who is honorably retired and physically and
       emotionally fit to possess a handgun.  Defines "honorably
       retired."
       
       (d)  Requires the applicant to pay a fee of $25 for a
       license.
       
       (e)  Requires a retired peace officer to maintain
       proficiency for the category of weapon licensed under
       Section 415.035, Government Code, in order to obtain a
       license.    Requires the department or a local law
       enforcement agency to allow a retired peace officer of the
       department or agency an opportunity to demonstrate the
       required proficiency.  Requires the proficiency to be
       reported to the department on application and renewal.
       
       (f)  Provides that a license issued under this section
       expires as provided by a Section 8 of this article.
       
       Sec. 26.  APPLICATION TO LICENSED SECURITY OFFICERS.  Provides
     that this article does not exempt a license holder who is also
     a security officer and licensed under Article 4413(29bb),
     V.T.C.S. from the duty to comply with the provisions of that
     Act or Section 46.02, Penal Code. 
     
     Sec. 27.  NOTICE REQUIRED ON CERTAIN PREMISES.  (a)  Requires
     a business that has a permit or license issued under Chapter
     25, 28, 32, or 69, Alcoholic Beverage Code, and that derives
     51 percent or more of its income from the sale of alcoholic
     beverages for on-premises consumption to prominently display
     at each entrance to the business premises a sign that complies
     with the requirements of Subsection (c) of this section.
     
     (b)  Requires a governmental entity to prominently display
       at each entrance to an office occupied by the entity a sign
       that complies with the requirements of Subsection (c) of
       this section.
       
       (c)  Requires the sign required under Subsections (a) and
       (b) of this section to give notice in both English and
       Spanish that it is unlawful to carry a handgun on the
       premises.  Requires the sign to appear in contrasting colors
       with block letters at least one inch in height and to be
       displayed in a conspicuous manner clearly visible to the
       public.
       
     Sec. 28.  RECIPROCITY.  Requires the department, by rule, to
     provide for reciprocal licensing of individuals possessing a
     valid license from another state which has requirements
     similar to those provided under this article.
SECTION 2.  Amends Section 46.02(b), Penal Code, by adding
Subdivision (7), to provide that it is a defense to prosecution
that the actor was, at the time of offense, carrying a concealed
handgun and a valid license issued under Article 4413(29ee),
V.T.C.S., to carry a concealed handgun of the same category as the
handgun the person is carrying.

SECTION 3.  (a)  Effective date of this Act: September 1, 1995. 
Effective date for licenses issued before January 1, 1996: January
1, 1996.

     (b)  Authorizes the department, by rule, to adopt a system to
     implement staggered and evenly distributed license expiration
     dates and prorate fees over a specified period.  Prohibits the
     department from issuing a license that is effective for less
     than two years.
     
SECTION 4.  Makes application of this Act prospective.

SECTION 5.  Emergency clause.