By Allen                                              H.B. No. 2257
         76R8032 GWK-D                           
                                A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 1-1                                   AN ACT
 1-2     relating to the issuance by the Texas Department of Public Safety
 1-3     of special permits authorizing concealed handgun license holders
 1-4     and other individuals to carry weapons in certain restricted areas.
 1-5           BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
 1-6           SECTION 1.  Subchapter H, Chapter 411, Government Code, is
 1-7     amended by adding Section 411.209 to read as follows:
 1-8           Sec. 411.209.  SPECIAL FIREARMS PERMIT.  (a)  The department
 1-9     by rule may adopt a permit process that authorizes a license holder
1-10     or other individual to carry a concealed handgun or any other
1-11     firearm.  In establishing the  permit process, the department shall
1-12     determine the form of any required applications, qualifications
1-13     required of applicants, and the imposition of costs on applicants
1-14     for permits.
1-15           (b)  The possession of a permit issued by the department
1-16     under this section provides the permit holder with an exception to
1-17     the application of laws prohibiting the carrying of firearms in the
1-18     same manner as is provided to peace officers by the laws of this
1-19     state.
1-20           SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 1999.
1-21           SECTION 3.  The importance of this legislation and the
1-22     crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an
1-23     emergency and an imperative public necessity that the
1-24     constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several
 2-1     days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended.