HBA-KMH H.B. 815 76(R) BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 815 By: Jones, Jesse Public Safety 4/5/1999 Introduced BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Legislation passed during the 74th legislative session, the Texas Right to Carry Concealed Weapons, Law made it illegal to carry a concealed weapon on the premises of a church or other places of worship. Under the current law as amended in the 75th legislative session, these establishments are now required to post signs to prohibit such activity. Section 46.035(b)(6) prohibits a license holder of a concealed weapon from carrying a weapon on the premises of a church, synagogue, or other established place of religious worship unless the establishment provides an effective notice of the prohibition as described by Section 30.06 (Trespass by Holder of License to Carry Concealed Handgun). The sign must be printed in both Spanish and English and printed in letters one inch high. Approximately, 12 million Texans are eligible to file for a permit to carry a concealed weapon. Currently, 198,250 Texans have been issued permits. A number of religious organizations have expressed concerns regarding this notice provision. One difficulty is that many churches are not aware that there is no longer a legal prohibition to the carrying of concealed weapons unless the church has complied with the posting requirement. Some pastors are of the opinion, that even though they are informed of the requirement, posting such a sign sends an inappropriate message to their congregations. H.B. 815 eliminates the notice exception applicable to a license holder who unlawfully carries a handgun on the premises of a church, synagogue, or other established place of religious service as described under Section 46.035(b)(6). RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Section 46.035(i), Penal Code, to eliminate the notice exception provided by this subsection when a license holder unlawfully carries a handgun on the premise of a church, synagogue, or other established place of religious service as described under Subsection (b)(6). SECTION 2. Makes application of this Act prospective. SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 1999. SECTION 4. Emergency clause.