HB 498 78(R) BILL ANALYSIS H.B. 498 By: Isett Law Enforcement Committee Report (Unamended) BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Under current law, senior citizens 60 years of age or older receive a 50% discount on the issuance of a concealed handgun license. However, the word "renewal" was left out of the language which provided the concealed handgun license discount for seniors. Therefore, seniors are required to pay the full cost for renewing their licenses. House Bill 498 provides a 50% discount on the fees that seniors pay to renew a licence to carry a concealed handgun. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, institution, or agency. ANALYSIS SECTION 1. House Bill 498 amends Section 411.195 of the Government Code by providing seniors 60 years of age or older a 50% discount on renewal fees for their licence to carry a concealed handgun. SECTION 2. House Bill 498 applies only to renewals on or after September 1, 2003. The former law is continued in effect for renewals that occur before September 1, 2003. EFFECTIVE DATE This Act takes effect September 1, 2003.