Honorable Joe Driver, Chair, House Committee on Law Enforcement
FROM:
John S. O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
SB534 by Hegar (Relating to certain rights and liabilities of an employer regarding an employee's access to a concealed handgun.) ,As Engrossed
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
The bill would amend statute and create a new cause of action for damages whenever a private or governmental employer discharges, discriminates, or penalizes an employee licensed to carry a handgun under Texas law, because the employee transported the handgun in the employee’s locked motor vehicle that was in the employer’s parking lot and the employee had previously provided a written statement about the licensed handgun with a copy of the license to the employer. However, an employer may prohibit an employee from transporting or storing a handgun in the employee's locked motor vehicle if the parking area is completely surrounded by a fence and is not open to the public.
It is anticipated that any additional costs associated with implementing the provisions of the bill could be absorbed within existing resources.
Local Government Impact
No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.
Source Agencies:
320 Texas Workforce Commission, 302 Office of the Attorney General