88R24065 JSC-F
 
  By: Thimesch, Frazier, A. Johnson of Harris H.B. No. 4639
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to unlawfully carrying 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 a handgun 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
  21 years of age or older or is licensed to carry a handgun under
  Subchapter H, Chapter 411, Government Code, and the handgun is
  carried in a holster; or
               (2)  the person is:
                     (A)  engaged in criminal activity, other than a
  Class C misdemeanor that is a violation of a law or ordinance
  regulating traffic or boating; or
                     (B)  prohibited by law from possessing a firearm.
         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, 2023.