LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
Austin, Texas
 
FISCAL NOTE, 84TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION
 
March 13, 2015

TO:
Honorable Larry Phillips, Chair, House Committee on Homeland Security & Public Safety
 
FROM:
Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board
 
IN RE:
HB937 by Fletcher (Relating to the carrying of concealed handguns on the campuses of and certain other locations associated with 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 authorize an individual possessing a valid concealed handgun license issued in the state of Texas to carry a concealed handgun on premises associated with certain public institutions of higher education. The bill would allow an institution of higher education to establish rules governing the storage of handguns in dormitories, and would stipulate an institution, officer, employee, peace officer or handgun instructor may not be held liable for damages or cause under the provisions of the bill.

State institutions of higher education reported varying estimates of cost associated with implementing certain provisions of the bill, primarily with respect to health related institutions. It is assumed implementing the provisions of the bill could be absorbed within existing resources.

The bill would take effect September 1, 2015.


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, 758 Texas State University System, 768 Texas Tech University System Administration, 720 The University of Texas System Administration, 769 University of North Texas System Administration, 781 Higher Education Coordinating Board, 783 University of Houston System Administration
LBB Staff:
UP, ESi, JAW, AG, AI, EH, LM, SZ, EP, JPo