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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to eligibility requirements to obtain a pass for expedited |
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access to Capitol. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 411.0625(b), Government Code, is amended |
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to read as follows: |
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(a) The department shall allow a person to enter the Capitol |
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and the Capitol Extension, including any public space in the |
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Capitol or Capitol Extension, in the same manner as the department |
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allows entry to a person who presents a license to carry a handgun |
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under 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 handgun under Subchapter H, other than requirements regarding
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evidence of handgun proficiency.
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(1) meet the eligibility requirements applicable to a |
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license to carry a handgun under Subchapter H, other than |
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requirements regarding evidence of handgun proficiency |
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., or, or |
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(2) provide an application for review by the |
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department in accordance with subsection (d) below. |
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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 license to carry a handgun 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 under Section 411.174 |
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for a license to carry a handgun. |
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(d) the department may approve an application provided by |
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those who do not meet the eligibility requirement under subsection |
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(b)(1), and may consider the amount of time that has passed |
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following conviction of a criminal offense as well as evidence of |
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good standing in the community in making a determination whether to |
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approve the application. |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1,2019. |