BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 668

By: Bell, Cecil

Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans' Affairs

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Under current law, a law-abiding handgun license holder who forgets to renew the license by the license's expiration date must undergo the application process for a new handgun license. This process involves complying with all of the requirements applicable to new applicants, including handgun proficiency training, fingerprinting, and identity documentation submissions, all of which are already on file for a renewal applicant. H.B. 668 seeks to prevent this from occurring by establishing a grace period after the expiration of a handgun license during which a license holder can renew the license.

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

H.B. 668 amends the Government Code to establish a one-year grace period after the expiration date of a handgun license during which the license holder may still renew the license. The bill applies to a handgun license that expires before, on, or after the bill's effective date.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2025.