Honorable Poncho Nevárez, Chair, House Committee on Homeland Security & Public Safety
FROM:
John McGeady, Assistant Director Sarah Keyton, Assistant Director Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB2949 by Guillen (Relating to a license to carry a handgun for a person who is at increased risk of becoming a victim of violence.), As Introduced
The fiscal implications of the bill cannot be determined at this time as information regarding potential handgun applications by persons at risk of becoming victims of violence cannot be estimated.
The bill would amend statute to expedite the application for a handgun license for persons at risk of becoming victims of violence. The bill would require the Department of Public Safety (DPS) to develop a procedure for persons who are at increased risk of becoming a victim of violence to acquire a handgun license on an expedited basis, and qualify for an at-risk designation on the license.
The bill describes eligibility requirements for an at-risk designation. It also allows the DPS Director to adopt rules to accept alternative documentation not described in the bill that shows that the person is at increased risk of becoming a victim of violence. As this at-risk qualification for handgun applications does not currently exist, and there is no information regarding the number of potential applicants, the fiscal impact of the bill cannot be determined.
It is assumed that the continued administration of the handgun licensing program, with the provisions of the bill, could be absorbed within existing resources.
Local Government Impact
No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.
Source Agencies:
212 Office of Court Administration, Texas Judicial Council, 304 Comptroller of Public Accounts, 405 Department of Public Safety