H.B. 2619 78(R) BILL ANALYSIS H.B. 2619 By: Ellis Law Enforcement Committee Report (Unamended) BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE When the concealed handgun licensing laws were enacted, it was the intent of the legislature that the $140 application fee established for licenses would pay for the actual costs of the program, not produce additional revenue. However, this fee has actually generated an excess of approximately $800,000 since the inception of the program. House Bill 2619 addresses this issue and relieves some of the financial burden on the license applicant by reducing the application fee. 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 2619 amends Section 411.174(a) of the Government Code, requiring an applicant for a concealed handgun license to submit a non-refundable application and license fee, by striking "$140" and replacing it with "$110." EFFECTIVE DATE This Act takes effect September 1, 2003.