BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	S.B. 1253
87R9348 JSC-D	By: Hall
	State Affairs
	4/6/2021
	As Filed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

S.J.R. 24, if passed by the legislature and approved by the voters of Texas, would enable �constitutional carry� without need of a permit or license for those who may legally carry a handgun. For the purpose of maintaining reciprocity with other states the license to carry (LTC) must still be kept as an option for gun owners who would like to travel and remain armed for their own safety.

This bill simply makes it clear in statute that if LTCs are not required they will still be available for the purpose of reciprocity with other states.

As proposed, S.B. 1253 amends current law relating to the issuance and renewal of licenses to carry a handgun for purposes of reciprocity with other states.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Section 411.177, Government Code, by adding Subsection (e), as follows:

(e)  Requires the Department of Public Safety of the State of Texas (DPS), for the purpose of reciprocity with other states, to issue a license under Subchapter H (License to Carry a Handgun) to each applicant who meets all the eligibility requirements and submits all the application materials, regardless of whether the applicant may legally carry a handgun without a license in this state under Chapter 46 (Weapons), Penal Code, or other state law.

SECTION 2. Amends Section 411.185, Government Code, by adding Subsection (h), as follows:

(h) Requires DPS, for the purpose of reciprocity with other states, to renew the license of each license holder who meets all the eligibility requirements to continue to hold a license and who submits all the renewal materials described by Subsection (a) (relating to the materials and procedure required to renew a license), regardless of whether the license holder may legally carry a handgun without a license in this state under Chapter 46, Penal Code, or other state law.

SECTION 3.  Effective date: September 1, 2021.

�