LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD

Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 83RD LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION

March 12, 2013

TO:	Honorable Joseph Pickett, Chair, House Committee On Homeland Security & Public Safety
FROM:	Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:	HB706 by Capriglione (Relating to the carrying of concealed handguns on certain premises of or locations associated with schools or institutions of higher education.), As Introduced

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

The bill would amend the Government Code and Penal Code to allow an individual with a valid concealed handgun license issued in the state of Texas to carry a concealed handgun on premises associated with institutions of higher education. The bill would allow an institution of higher education to establish rules governing the storage of handguns in dormitories.  

The bill would proscribe an institution of higher education from adopting rules prohibiting the carrying of a licensed concealed handgun on campus grounds with the following exception: after consulting with students, staff, and faculty, a private or independent institution of higher education would be authorized to prohibit license holders from carrying handguns on premises that are owned or operated by the institution and located on the campus of the institution.

The bill would stipulate an institution, officer, employee, peace officer or handgun instructor may not be held liable for damages or cause under this subchapter.

State 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 could be absorbed within current appropriation levels. The bill would take effect September 1, 2013.

Local Government Impact

Local community college districts could experience increased costs related to campus police operations, security programs, and staff training. Adaptation of community college campus facilities to accommodate the storage of handguns could result in new costs for community college districts.

Source Agencies:

405 Department of Public Safety, 710 Texas A&M University System Administrative and General Offices, 720 The University of Texas System Administration, 758 Texas State University System, 768 Texas Tech University System Administration, 769 University of North Texas System Administration, 781 Higher Education Coordinating Board, 783 University of Houston System Administration

LBB Staff:

UP, ESi, AI, JAW, GO, JPo