The following is everything that made it through the 83rd legislature and is expected to be signed by Gov. Perry regarding Texas CHL licenses.
Please feel free to email this around for those that have interest.
Chuck Maricle
Texas DPS CHL instructor # 01087354
SB 1907 by Sen. GlennHegar and Rep. Tim Kleinschmidt will allow students with a concealed handgun license to have firearm in their vehicles when parked on college or university parking lot. The language protects students from being expelled due the college or universities student rules. SB 1907 has passed and is headed for the Governor’s desk.
SB 299 by Sen. Estes/HB 1304 by Rep. Sheets provides language to clarify the unintentional display of a firearm by a concealed handgun licensee. 4/25/13 SB299 passed on the floor of the Senate and has moved into the House. SB 299 was substituted for House bill, passed in the Texas House 5/6/13. Signed by Governor Perry and goes into effect Sept. 1.
HB 47 by Rep. Dan Flynn/ SB 864 by Sen. Donna Campbell would reduce the number of hours for the initial CHL class. Expect a committee substitute with the change “not less than four or more than six”. Nothing about the current CHL program or materials covered will change. The requirement for range qualification is still in place as always. However, for the first time the theory portion of the class, not the time spent on the range, is all that is covered by the required hours. An instructor will spend 4-6 hours on the class room portion of the program and as much time on the range for the range proficiency exam as needed for the safety and comfort of his class. SB 864 by Campbell passed on the floor of the Senate and has been reported to the House, as filed. SB 864 was substituted in for HB 47, passed in the Texas House 5/6/13 and is on its way to the Governor’s desk would take effect Sept. 1.
HB 698 by Rep.Springer requires access to digital fingerprinting not more than 25 miles from the applicant’s residence. This bill was amended to be limited to counties with a population of 46,000 or less, passed on the House floor 5/6/13. The Senate Sponsor is expected to be Senator Craig Estes (R-Wichita Falls). Passed from Senate Criminal Justice Committee on 5/14/13. The bill passed!
HB 3142 by Rep. Cecil Bell, Jr. repeals the SA/NA designation for the CHL license. HB 3142 passed in committee and recommended for the Local and Consent House Calendar. Picked up in the Senate by Senator Craig Estes and passed in Senate Committee. Passed 5/26/13
SB 343 by Sen. Estes/HB 1421 by Rep. Perry provides law enforcement agencies an option in statute to sell confiscated firearms to a federal firearm dealer (FFL) instead of destroying. After the cost of the sale and any other related charges, funds could stay with that law enforcement agency. SB 343 has been heard in Sen. Crim. Jus. Committee. HB 1421 passed on the House floor 5/6/13. Passed in the Senate and is headed for Governor Perry’s desk.
HB 333 by Rep. Guillen requires hotels and motels to provide advance notice if they prohibit firearms. Passed on the House floor 4/25/13. HB 333 passed on Senate Local and Uncontested Calendar. Headed for the Governor’s Desk