BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center C.S.H.B. 1038
79R17900 UM-F By: Isett (Brimer)
Committee Report (Substituted)
AUTHOR'S/SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
Texas has one of the highest conceal carry licensing fees in the country. When the fees were enacted, they were intended to be revenue neutral.
In 1997, the 75th Legislature also amended the Government Code to reduce the fees for a concealed carry license for senior citizens and indigents. Under Section 411.194, which applies to indigents, the fee reduction applies to the issuance of an original, duplicate, modified, or renewed license. However, Section 411.195, which applies to seniors, only reduces the fee for the issuance of an original, duplicate, or modified license. The fee reduction for seniors to renew a concealed license was inadvertently overlooked and as such, seniors pay a reduced fee to obtain an original concealed to carry license but pay the full fee to renew the license.
C.S.H.B 1038 resolves this variance by reducing the fees for seniors to renew a concealed carry license.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Section 411.195, Government Code, to require the Department of Public Safety to reduce any fee required for the issuance of an original, duplicate, modified, or renewed [concealed handgun] license under this subchapter by 50 percent any fee for the issuance of an original, duplicate, modified, or renewed license, if the applicant for the license is 60 years of age or older.
SECTION 2. Makes application of this Act prospective.
SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 2005.