H.B. 2086 78(R) BILL ANALYSIS H.B. 2086 By: Talton Law Enforcement Committee Report (Unamended) BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Under current law, only peace officers, employees of the Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA), and those specifically licensed for hunting by the LCRA may carry weapons on LCRA land. Current law also stipulates that if a place of business or government entity prohibits carrying a concealed handgun authorized under law on its property, it must prominently display notice at the entrance of the premises. Logistically, it is impossible for the LCRA to post this notice on the 16,000 acres of recreational lands under its control. Consequently, it is possible that a person licensed to carry a concealed handgun would unintentionally enter LCRA land without first removing the handgun from the person's possession and thus violate the law. House Bill 2086 authorizes the possession and justified discharge of a concealed handgun on LCRA lands for those who possess a concealed handgun license. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution. ANALYSIS House Bill 2086 amends Section 62.082 of the Parks and Wildlife Code by authorizing a person who possesses a concealed handgun license to carry a concealed handgun on or across Lower Colorado River Authority lands. The bill also authorizes a person who possesses a concealed handgun license to shoot a handgun on Lower Colorado River Authority lands if circumstances justify the use of deadly force under Chapter 9 of the Penal Code. A state agency is prohibited from adopting rules that would ban a person who possesses a concealed handgun license from crossing or entering the land of the Lower Colorado River Authority with a handgun or shooting a handgun if circumstances justify the use of deadly force. EFFECTIVE DATE This Act takes effect September 1, 2003.