By: Schwertner, et al. S.B. No. 19

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to prohibited contracts with companies that discriminate against the firearm or ammunition industries.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Subtitle F, Title 10, Government Code, is amended by adding Chapter 2274 to read as follows:

CHAPTER 2274. PROHIBITION ON CONTRACTS WITH COMPANIES THAT

DISCRIMINATE AGAINST FIREARM AND AMMUNITION INDUSTRIES

Sec. 2274.001. DEFINITIONS. In this chapter:

(1) "Ammunition" means a loaded cartridge case, primer, bullet, or propellant powder with or without a projectile.

(2) "Company" means a for-profit organization, association, corporation, partnership, joint venture, limited partnership, limited liability partnership, or limited liability company, including a wholly owned subsidiary, majority-owned subsidiary, parent company, or affiliate of those entities or associations that exists to make a profit.

(3) "Discriminate against a firearm entity or firearm trade association" means, with respect to the entity or association, to:

(A) refuse to engage in the trade of any goods or services;

(B) refrain from continuing an existing business relationship;

(C) terminate an existing business relationship; or

(D) otherwise express a prejudice against the entity or association.

(4) "Firearm" means a weapon that expels a projectile by the action of explosive or expanding gases.

(5) "Firearm accessory" means a device specifically designed or adapted to enable an individual to wear, carry, store, or mount a firearm on the individual or on a conveyance and an item used in conjunction with or mounted on a firearm that is not essential to the basic function of the firearm. The term includes a detachable firearm magazine.

(6) "Firearm entity" means:

(A) a firearm, firearm accessory, or ammunition manufacturer, distributor, wholesaler, supplier, or retailer; and

(B) a sport shooting range as defined by Section 250.001, Local Government Code.

(7) "Firearm trade association" means any person, corporation, unincorporated association, federation, business league, or business organization that:

(A) is not organized or operated for profit and for which none of its net earnings inures to the benefit of any private shareholder or individual;

(B) has two or more firearm entities as members; and

(C) is exempt from federal income taxation under Section 501(a), Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as an organization described by Section 501(c)(6) of that code.

(8) "Governmental entity" has the meaning assigned by Section 2251.001.

Sec. 2274.002. PROVISION REQUIRED IN CONTRACT. (a) This section applies only to a contract to be paid partly or wholly from public funds between a governmental entity and a company with at least 10 full-time employees that has a value of at least $100,000.

(b) A governmental entity may not enter into a contract with a company for the purchase of goods or services unless the contract contains a written verification from the company that it:

(1) does not have a written or unwritten internal practice, policy, guidance, or directive that discriminates against a firearm entity or firearm trade association based solely on its status as a firearm entity or firearm trade association; and

(2) will not discriminate during the term of the contract against a firearm entity or firearm trade association based solely on its status as a firearm entity or firearm trade association.

SECTION 2. The change in law made by this Act applies only to a contract entered into on or after the effective date of this Act. A contract entered into before the effective date of this Act is governed by the law as it existed immediately before the effective date of this Act, and that law is continued in effect for that purpose.

SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.