HBA-DMH H.B. 1837 77(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 1837
By: Denny
County Affairs
7/16/2001
Enrolled



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Growth in rural Texas may bring residents into closer proximity with a
sport shooting range.  Prior to the 77th Legislature, there were certain
restrictions on the regulation of these ranges that prohibited a
governmental official from seeking a civil or criminal penalty against a
range or its owner or operator. House Bill 1837 extends that regulatory
protection to include private clubs and associations and any businesses
operating as sport shooting ranges. 

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. 

ANALYSIS

House Bill 1837 amends the Local Government Code to prohibit a governmental
official from seeking a civil or criminal penalty, or a person from
bringing a nuisance or similar cause of action, against any business
establishment, private club, or association that operates an area for the
discharge or other use of firearms for specified types of recreational
shooting (sport shooting range) or its owner or operator based on the
violation of a municipal or county ordinance, order or rule regulating
noise if the sport shooting range is in compliance with the applicable
ordinance, order, or rule, or if no applicable noise ordinance, order, or
rule exists. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2001.