New Texas Gun Legislation Taking Effect Today

House Bill 554
Effective: Sept. 1, 2015
Relating to a defense to prosecution for the offense of possessing or carrying a weapon in or into the secured area of an airport.

• Amends Texas Penal Code to add a defense to prosecution, if the actor possessed a handgun that he or she is licensed to carry at the security checkpoint of an airport, and exited the screening checkpoint for the secured area immediately upon completion of the required screening process and notification of possession of the handgun.
• Adds the actor cannot be arrested for the sole offense of possessing a handgun he or she is licensed to carry, unless a police officer gives the actor the opportunity to leave the area, and he or she does not immediately comply.

House Bill 1376
Effective; Sept. 1, 2015
Relating to the application of certain concealed handgun license laws to community supervision and corrections department officers and juvenile probation officers; reducing a fee.

• Allows supervision officers and juvenile probation officers to establish proof of proficiency by a sworn statement that indicates the person demonstrated proficiency with a firearm instructor licensed by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) within the 12-month period preceding the application for the license to carry.
• This provision applies to the supervision officers appointed or employed under Texas Government Code §76.004, to supervise defendants placed under community supervision.
• Reduces the fee for a license to carry to $25 for these individuals.
• Individuals applying under this special condition will be required to provide proof they are a supervision officer or juvenile probation officer.
• A new fee schedule will be posted on the DPS website.

House Bill 2604
Effective: Sept. 1, 2015
Relating to a concealed handgun license application that is submitted by a peace officer or a member of the state military forces.

• Exempts applicants who are active peace officers from the requirement to submit fingerprints.
• Repeals the provisions requiring a sworn statement from the head of the employing law enforcement agency regarding the applicant’s conduct and proficiency.
• DPS is updating the online application checklist. Until the online application is updated, peace officers may disregard the notations requiring fingerprints and the sworn statement from the head of their employing law enforcement agency.
• Updated application instructions for peace officers will be posted on the DPS website upon the effective date of this law.

House Bill 2739
Effective: Sept. 1, 2015
Relating to the use of a concealed handgun license as a valid proof of personal identification.

• Amends Texas Business & Commerce Code to require businesses to accept a CHL as a valid form of personal ID for access to good, services or facilities.
• Does not affect laws requiring a DL to operate a motor vehicle.
• Does not affect the existing requirement to present a DL when renting a car.
• Does not affect the type of ID required under federal law to access airport premises or to pass through airport security.

House Bill 3710
Effective: Sept. 1, 2015
Relating to a voluntary contribution to the fund for veteran’s assistance when applying for a concealed handgun license.

• Requires DPS to offer CHL applicants an opportunity to contribute money to the fund for veteran’s assistance when applying for an original or renewal CHL.
• The applicant will determine the amount of contribution.
• DPS is updating the online application to accept contributions. More information will be posted here when the option to contribute is available.

Senate Bill 273
Effective Sept. 1, 2015
Relating to certain offenses relating to carrying concealed handguns on property owned or leased by a governmental entity; providing a civil penalty.

• Prohibits a state agency or political subdivision from posting signs stating where CHL holders are prohibited from carrying a concealed handgun on the premises, unless specifically prohibited by Texas Penal Code §46.03 and §46.035.
• Provides a civil penalty to a state agency or political subdivision if falsely notifying a CHL holder that entering or remaining on certain governmental premises, owned or leased, is illegal.
• Limits the scope of the governmental meeting prohibition by restricting it to the specific room or rooms where the meeting is held, and to public meetings where the notice is required under the Open Meetings Act.
• Provides an opportunity for the agency or subdivision to cure the violation within three business days of receipt of written notice from a citizen.
• Complaints of a violation are reported to the Texas Office of the Attorney General.
• Provides the Texas Attorney General must give notice to the agency or subdivision and provide an opportunity to cure the violation, before a civil penalty is imposed