BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 3875

By: Phillips

Public Safety

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Currently, a handgun instructor's certification expires after two years.  In order to renew certification, the instructor must take retraining courses, which are held in Austin, Texas.  Travel to Austin every two years can be time-consuming and costly for many instructors, especially those not residing within driving distance of Austin or who have other employment. 

H.B. 3875 requires the Department of Public Safety to ensure that an applicant for certification as a qualified handgun instructor may renew certification from any county in Texas by using an online format to complete the required retraining course if the applicant is renewing for the first time or had renewed the certification in person the previous time. 

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

H.B. 3875 amends the Government Code to require the Department of Public Safety (DPS) to ensure that an applicant for certification as a qualified handgun instructor may renew the certification from any county in Texas by using an online format to complete the required retraining courses if the applicant is renewing certification for the first time or if the applicant completed the required retraining courses in person the previous time the applicant renewed the certificate. The bill requires DPS, not later that March 1, 2010, to take action as necessary to ensure that such an applicant may make such renewal in this manner. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2009.