SRC-LBB, MSY, VRA S.B. 103 78(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 103
78R1631 PEP-FBy: Van de Putte
Criminal Justice
2/20/2003
As Filed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 
   
Current Texas law differentiates between peace officers and concealed
weapon permit holders as regards the authority to carry a weapon in public
spaces.  This distinction, however, is sometimes unclear to employees of
establishments that serve the public.  As proposed, S.B. 103 specifies
that a peace officer is authorized to carry weapons into any public space,
and specifies that commissioned peace officers of another state and
special investigators are considered peace officers for this purpose. 

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(a), Penal Code, to include commissioned
peace officers of another state, or special investigators under Article
2.122 (Special Investigators), Code of Criminal Procedure, among those
peace officers and special investigators exempt from Sections 46.02
(Unlawful Carrying Weapons) and Section 46.03 (Places Weapons Prohibited). 

SECTION 2.  Effective date:  upon passage or September 1, 2003.