SRC-JBJ S.B. 826 76(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 826
76R4290 GWK-DBy: Lindsay
State Affairs
3/9/1999
As Filed


DIGEST 

Currently, a person may possess a  concealed handgun in a church or
synagogue.  Previously, a person was prohibited from possessing a handgun
in a place of worship, until the ban was lifted via legislation in the 75th
Legislature.  Since that change, many churches and synagogues have
expressed dissatisfaction with the requirement that a place of worship,
like a business, must post a sign or hand out a card informing a person
that the person may not bring a concealed weapon into the church or
synagogue.  S.B. 826 would revoke Section 56.035(b)(6), Penal Code, to
preclude individuals from bringing concealed handguns into a church,
synagogue, or other place of worship. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, S.B. 826 revises the Penal Code by removing text regarding the
carrying of a handgun into an established place of worship. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, institution, or agency. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Section 46.035(i), Penal Code, to delete reference to
Subsection (b)(6) in regards to its inapplicability if the acts was not
given effective notice under Section 30.06.   

SECTION 2.  Makes application of this Act prospective.

SECTION 3.  Effective date: September 1, 1999.

SECTION 4.Emergency clause.