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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the issuance of a pass for expedited access to the State |
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Capitol. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter E, Chapter 411, Government Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 411.0625 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 411.0625. PASS FOR EXPEDITED ACCESS TO CAPITOL. (a) |
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The department shall allow a person to enter the Capitol and the |
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Capitol Extension, including any public space in the Capitol or |
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Capitol Extension, in the same manner as the department allows |
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entry to a person who presents a concealed handgun license under |
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Subchapter H if the person: |
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(1) obtains from the department a Capitol access pass; |
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and |
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(2) presents the pass to the appropriate law |
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enforcement official when entering the building or a space within |
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the building. |
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(b) To be eligible for a Capitol access pass, a person must |
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meet the eligibility requirements applicable to a license to carry |
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a concealed handgun under Subchapter H, other than requirements |
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regarding evidence of handgun proficiency. |
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(c) The department shall adopt rules to establish a |
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procedure by which a resident of the state may apply for and be |
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issued a Capitol access pass. Rules adopted under this section must |
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include provisions for eligibility, application, approval, |
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issuance, and renewal that: |
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(1) require the department to conduct the same |
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background check on an applicant for a Capitol access pass that is |
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conducted on an applicant for a concealed handgun license under |
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Subchapter H; |
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(2) enable the department to conduct the background |
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check described by Subdivision (1); and |
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(3) establish application and renewal fees in amounts |
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sufficient to cover the cost of administering this section, not to |
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exceed the amounts of similar fees required for a concealed handgun |
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license under Section 411.174. |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives |
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a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as |
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provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this |
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Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this |
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Act takes effect September 1, 2011. |