82(R) SB 354 - House Committee Report version

TO:	Honorable John Whitmire, Chair, Senate Committee on Criminal Justice

FROM:	John S O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board

IN RE:	SB354 by Wentworth (Relating to the carrying of concealed handguns on the campuses of and certain other locations associated with institutions of higher education. ), Committee Report 1st House, Substituted

The bill would allow a license holder to carry a concealed handgun on the campus of an institution of higher education, restrict an institution of higher education from adopting rules prohibiting the carrying of a licensed handgun on campus grounds, and allow the institution to establish rules governing the storage of handguns in dormitories. After consultation with students, staff, and faculty, a private or independent institution of higher education could prohibit license holders from carrying handguns within buildings owned or operated by the institution. The bill's provisions would not permit a license holder to carry a concealed handgun on the premises of a hospital maintained, or operated, by and institution of higher education.

The bill amends both the Government Code and Penal Code and would take effect September 1, 2011. Changes to the Penal Code apply only to an offense committed on or after September 1, 2012.

Institutions of higher education reported that the bill's provisions could increase costs related to campus police operations, security programs, and staff training. Adaptation of campus facilities to accommodate the storage of handguns could result in new costs for institutions.

For this analysis it is assumed implementing the provisions of the bill would not result in a significant impact on the programs and workload of State corrections agencies or on the demand for resources of those agencies.

LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 82ND LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION


April 4, 2011