John S O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
SB766 by Estes (relating to the liability of a sport shooting range and the regulation of firearms, ammunition, firearm supplies, and sport shooting ranges. ), Committee Report 1st House, Substituted
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
The bill would amend the Civil Practice and Remedies Code to include a sport shooting range in the list of entities protected from a governmental suit in regard to the recovery of damages resulting from, or injunctive relief or abatement of a nuisance relating to the lawful discharge of a firearm. The bill would specify that a governmental unit may enforce a valid ordinance, statute or regulation for a sport shooting range’s construction if the range begins operation after September 1, 2011. The bill would include limitations on private suits against a sport shooting range and specify the need of expert witnesses in a suit.
The bill would amend the Local Government Code to prohibit a municipality or a county from regulating the discharge of a firearm at a sport shooting range, notwithstanding any other law. The bill would require a minimum of twenty individuals to discharge a firearm in a calendar year in order to qualify as a private club or association in relation to a sport shooting range.
Local Government Impact
No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.