SRC-JBJ S.B. 483 77(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 483
77R2374 JMC-DBy: Duncan
Criminal Justice
2/9/2001
As Filed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE     

Under current Texas law, a sheriff is required to complete the initial
requirements to carry a handgun upon retirement in order to continue
carrying a handgun.  As proposed, S.B. 483 provides for a retired sheriff
who meets certain criteria to be able to continue carrying a handgun after
the sheriff's retirement. 

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 46.15, Penal Code, by adding Subsection (f), as
follows: 

(f)  Provides that the provision of Section 46.02 prohibiting the carrying
of a handgun does not apply to a person who is an honorably retired
sheriff.  Defines "honorably retired" in this subsection. 

SECTION 2.  Amends Chapter 411H, Government Code, by adding Section
411.1992, as follows: 

Sec. 411.1992.  WEAPONS PROFICIENCY TESTS FOR CERTAIN RETIRED SHERIFFS.
Requires the Texas Department of Public Safety (department) to allow a
retired sheriff who may be eligible to carry a handgun under Section
46.15(f), Penal Code, a reasonable opportunity to demonstrate the required
weapons proficiency to the department's firearms proficiency officer under
Section 1701.355 (Continuing Demonstration of Weapons Proficiency),
Occupation Code. 

SECTION 3.  Effective date: September 1, 2001.