SRC-TAG S.B. 501 78(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research CenterS.B. 501
By: Armbrister
Criminal Justice
6/29/2003
Enrolled

DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Current Texas law regarding concealed handgun licenses lacks clarifying
language regarding where a license holder may lawfully carry a handgun.
S.B. 501 provides uniformity and consistency in Texas' concealed handgun
license law for both licensees and law enforcement. 

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

(f)  Provides that it is an exception to the application of this section
regarding criminal trespass that: 

(1)  the basis on which entry on the property or land was forbidden is
that entry with a handgun was forbidden; and 

(2)  the person was carrying a concealed handgun and a license issued
under Subchapter H, Chapter 411 (License to Carry a Concealed Handgun),
Government Code, to carry a concealed handgun of the same category the
person was carrying. 

SECTION 2.   Amends Section 30.06, Penal Code, by adding Subsection (e),
to provide that it is an exception to the application of this section when
a  license holder carries a handgun on a property owned or leased by a
governmental entity and does not constitute premises of property described
by Section 46.03 ( Places Weapons Prohibited) or 46.035 (Unlawful Carrying
of Handgun by License Holder).  Defines "premises." 

SECTION 3.  Amends Section 46.03(a)(3), Penal Code, to provide that a
person commits an offense if the person possesses certain weapons on the
premises of any government court or offices utilized by the court, rather
than in any government court or office utilized by the court, unless
pursuant to written regulations or authorization. 

SECTION 4.  Effective date:  September 1, 2003.
            Makes application of this Act prospective.