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.