BILL ANALYSIS

C.S.S.B. 1253

By: Hall

Homeland Security & Public Safety

Committee Report (Substituted)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Several bills filed in the 87th Legislative Session to enable the carrying of a handgun without a license may create a need for the state to continue to offer a handgun license as an option for gun owners who would like to travel outside of Texas and remain armed. C.S.S.B. 1253 seeks to address this issue by requiring the issuance or renewal of a handgun license to a person in Texas who meets all applicable eligibility requirements and submits all requisite materials, regardless of statutory authorizations to carry a handgun without a license in Texas.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

C.S.S.B. 1253 amends the Government Code to require the Department of Public Safety to issue or renew a handgun license to each applicant or handgun license holder who meets the applicable eligibility requirements and submits the requisite materials, regardless of whether the applicant or license holder may legally carry a handgun without a license in Texas under state law.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2021.

COMPARISON OF SENATE ENGROSSED AND SUBSTITUTE

While C.S.S.B. 1253 may differ from the engrossed in minor or nonsubstantive ways, the following summarizes the substantial differences between the engrossed and committee substitute versions of the bill.

The substitute does not include the specification in the engrossed that the bill's requirements are for the purpose of reciprocity with other states and updates the bill's caption accordingly.