87R9603 MEW-F
 
  By: Cason, White, Schaefer, H.B. No. 2967
      Morales of Maverick, et al.
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the unlawful carrying of a handgun in a motor vehicle or
  watercraft.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 46.02(a-1), Penal Code, is amended to
  read as follows:
         (a-1)  A person commits an offense if the person
  intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly carries on or about his or
  her person a handgun in a motor vehicle or watercraft that is owned
  by the person or under the person's control at any time in which:
               (1)  the handgun is in plain view, unless the person is
  licensed to carry a handgun under Subchapter H, Chapter 411,
  Government Code, and the handgun is carried in a shoulder or belt
  holster; or
               (2)  the person [is]:
                     (A)  is engaged in criminal activity, other than a
  Class C misdemeanor that is a violation of a law or ordinance
  regulating traffic or boating;
                     (B)  is prohibited by law from possessing a
  firearm; or
                     (C)  has been previously convicted of an offense
  for which the judgment in the case contains an affirmative finding
  under Article 42.0197, Code of Criminal Procedure [a member of a
  criminal street gang, as defined by Section 71.01].
         SECTION 2.  The change in law made by this Act applies only
  to an offense committed on or after the effective date of this Act.
  An offense committed before the effective date of this Act is
  governed by the law in effect on the date the offense was committed,
  and the former law is continued in effect for that purpose. For
  purposes of this section, an offense was committed before the
  effective date of this Act if any element of the offense occurred
  before that date.
         SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.