BILL ANALYSIS

S.B. 706

By: Schwertner

Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans' Affairs

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The 87th Texas Legislature enacted H.B. 1927, which eliminated the requirement for Texas residents to obtain a handgun license to legally carry a handgun if they are not prohibited by state or federal law from possessing a handgun. The bill sponsor has informed the committee that visitors to Texas who meet these same standards should be afforded the same right to carry. S.B. 706 seeks to provide for the recognition in Texas of all valid out-of-state handgun licenses.

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

S.B. 706 amends the Government Code to remove provisions conditioning the recognition in Texas of a handgun license issued by another state on the attorney general determining that a background check is initiated before a license is issued in the other state and the governor entering into a reciprocity agreement with that state or issuing a proclamation that a license issued by that state is recognized. The bill establishes instead that a valid handgun license issued by any other state is recognized in Texas. The bill requires the governor to negotiate a reciprocity agreement with any other state that requires such an agreement before recognizing a Texas handgun license and requires the Department of Public Safety to publish on its website and annually update a list of states in which a Texas handgun license is recognized.

S.B. 706 repeals Sections 411.173(c) and (d), Government Code, relating to a required annual report and review by the attorney general regarding the states from which Texas will or will not recognize a handgun license.

EFFECTIVE DATE

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