SRC-SEW H.B. 1837 77(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   H.B. 1837
77R8728 SGA-FBy: Denny (Armbrister)
Intergovernmental Relations
5/4/2001
Engrossed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Growth in rural Texas may bring residents into closer proximity with a
sport shooting range. Currently, there are restrictions on the regulation
of these ranges that prohibit a governmental official from seeking a civil
or criminal penalty against a range or its owner or operator under certain
circumstances. H.B. 1837 extends that regulatory protection to include
private clubs and associations and any businesses operating as sport
shooting ranges.  

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

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

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Section 250.001, Local Government Code, as follows:
 
Sec. 250.001. Redefines "sport shooting range."  Prohibits a governmental
official from seeking a civil or criminal penalty against a sport shooting
range or its owner or operator based on the violation of a municipal or
county ordinance, order, or rule regulating noise if no applicable noise
ordinance, order, or rule exists.  Makes conforming and nonsubstantive
changes.   
 
SECTION 2. Makes application of this Act prospective regarding an offense
committed on or after the effective date of this Act.  Provides that, for
purposes of this section, an offense is committed before the effective date
of this Act if any element of the offense occurs before that date.  Makes
application of this Act prospective regarding a cause of action that
accrues on or after the effective date of this Act.  

SECTION 3.  Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2001.