BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	S.B. 706
89R5686 JSC-F	By: Schwertner
	State Affairs
	2/21/2025
	As Filed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

Current law authorizes the governor to negotiate carry license reciprocal agreements with other states, or issue unilateral proclamations of recognition for licenses from other states, depending on those states' license issuance requirements (as determined by the Texas Attorney General) and their own reciprocity laws. However, this Texas license to carry (LTC) reciprocity law has not been revisited since 2003 and we trail 20 other states that already provide for universal recognition of valid carry licenses.

While Texas currently has reciprocity with 34 states, and unilaterally recognizes carry licenses from another nine states, we have no reciprocity or recognition with the other six. S.B. 706 would bring Texas LTC law into line with the other 20 states, as well as our permitless carry law, by allowing individuals from all 50 states to carry here with a valid license to carry.

As proposed, S.B. 706 amends current law relating to the recognition of a handgun license issued by another state.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.� Amends Section 411.173(b), Government Code, as follows:

�(b) Provides that a valid license to carry a handgun issued by any other state is recognized in this state.� Requires the governor to negotiate with any other state an agreement that provides for the reciprocal recognition of a license to carry a handgun if the other state requires such an agreement before recognizing a license to carry a handgun issued by this state. Requires the Department of Public Safety of the State of Texas to publish on its Internet website and annually update a list of states in which a license to carry a handgun issued by this state is recognized.

Deletes existing text requiring the governor to negotiate an agreement with any other state that provides for the issuance of a license to carry a handgun under which a license issued by the other state is recognized in this state or to issue a proclamation that a license issued by the other state is recognized in this state if the attorney general of the State of Texas determines that a background check of each applicant for a license issued by that state is initiated by state or local authorities or an agent of the state or local authorities before the license is issued. Deletes existing text defining "background check."

SECTION 2.� Repealers: Sections 411.173(c) (relating to a requirement for the attorney general to annually prepare a report that determines which states are qualified to have their licenses recognized by Texas) and (d) (relating to a requirement for the attorney general to submit the report listing states that qualify not later than January 1), Government Code.

SECTION 3. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2025.