2013 Bill Status Report

House Bills:

HB47 (Flynn, R, A+):  Relating to a handgun proficiency course that is taken to obtain or renew a concealed handgun license. 
Impact: Reduces the initial CHL class from minimum 10 hours to 4 hours.

Status:  Laid on table for companion SB864.  Final passage of SB864 on 5/6/13
Position on Bill:  Support - Very good bill!

HB48 (Flynn, R, A+):  Relating to the procedure under which a person may renew a license to carry a concealed handgun. 
Impact: 1) Removes the requirement to take a renewal course to renew a CHL; 2) Allows a person to continue to carry a handgun in Texas on an expired CHL, if a) they timely filed the required renewal documents; b) paid the renewal fee; and c) have not been notified by DPS that the renewal application was denied.  

Status:  Final passage 5/21/13.
Position on Bill: Support - Very good bill!

HB153 (Taylor);  Relating to the definition of intoxicated for purposes of certain weapons offenses. 
Impact:  Redefines "intoxication" for some firearms related offenses, including CHL holders.

Status: Died on House General Calendar.  
Position on Bill: Neutral.
 

HB158 (Taylor)  Relating to the designation on a person's driver's license or commercial driver's license that the person is licensed to carry a concealed handgun. 
Impact:  Gives CHL holders the option to have their status as a CHL holder added to their Texas Driver's License, for a fee.

Status:  Died in committee.
Position on Bill: Support with amendments - Nice option, but implementation could be problematic.

HB164 (Dutton, D, F): 
Relating to abolishing the death penalty. 
Impact:  Abolishes the death penalty in capital murder cases.
Status: Referred to Criminal Jurisprudence Committee 2/7/13; Died in committee..  
Position on Bill: Oppose - Horrible bill!


HB223 (Huberty):  Relating to the carrying of concealed handguns by certain persons attending a school board meeting. 
Impact:  Allows school board members and school superintendents attending official school board meetings to carry handguns if they have a CHL

Status: Hearing - Homeland Security & Public Safety Committee 3/21/13; Died in committee.
Position on Bill:  Neutral. 

HB333 (Guillen):  Relating to requiring notice of a hotel's firearms policy; providing a civil penalty
Impact:  Requires hotels wishing to ban firearms from their property to meet certain notice requirements when a guest books reservation either online or by phone.  A potential unintended consequence is that it makes it easy to include TPC §30.06 language in the reservation documents/process. 
Status:  Final passage 5/17/13.
Position on Bill:  Support.

HB366:  (Martinez, Armando, D)Relating to the dissemination, retention, and use of criminal history record information and fingerprints to and by state agencies for employment, contracting, or licensing or other purposes.
Impact:  Allows non-criminal fingerprints obtained by the DPS for any licensing purpose to be used for other state licenses requiring fingerprints.  Prevents Texans from having to obtain digital fingerprints multiple times.
Status:  Referred to Government Efficiency & Reform Committee 2/11/13; Died in committee.
Position on Bill:  Support.

HB383 (Burnam, D, F):  Relating to the recognition and validity of a license to carry a concealed handgun issued by another state.  
Impact:  Requires Texas "domiciles" to have a Texas CHL to carry a handgun in Texas. 

Status:  Hearing - Homeland Security & Public Safety Committee 3/21/13' Died in committee.  
Position on Bill:  Oppose; unnecessary bill by F-rated long time anti-gunner.

HB452 (Dukes, D, F)Relating to the punishment prescribed for engaging in certain acts of deadly conduct
Impact:
  Creates new offense and increases penalties for existing offense. 

Status:  Referred to Criminal Jurisprudence Committee 2/11/13; Died in committee.
Position on bill:  Oppose.
Duplicates existing law and unnecessarily increases penalties for offenses that do not cause injury or property damage.

HB471 (Allen, Alma, D, F)Relating to corporal punishment in public schools.
Impact:  Prohibits the use of corporal punishment on students in primary and secondary schools.

Status:  Referred to Public Education Committee 2/13/13; Died in committee. .
Position on bill:  Oppose, terrible bill.

Note:  This bill is not directly related to firearms or their usage and it is rare to take a position on such a  bill.  However, the likelihood of a law-abiding Texan being required to use a firearm in self-defense is directly related to the crime rate which is impacted, in large part, by the lack respect for others and lack of discipline children learn during formative years.  Behavior problems and violence in schools that use corporal punishment as an option is lower than in major school districts like Houston I.S.D. and Dallas I.S.D. where corporal punishment have been prohibited by their respective school boards.   This is F-rated Alma Allen's latest attempt to neuter schools and teachers ability to control and teach students and this has a direct impact on the crime rate in Texas.

HB485 (David, Sarah):  Relating to the amount of the fee paid by certain peace officers and veterans of the United States armed forces for a license to carry a concealed handgun.
Impact:  Reduces the CHL fee for new and renewal licenses to $25 for veterans discharged more than one year prior to application. 
Status:  Final passage 5/21/13.
Position on Bill:  Support.

HB507 (Guillen, D, A+): Relating to the discharge of a firearm across the property line of an educational facility; providing criminal penalties
Impact:  Creates a strict liability crime if a round fired from a firearm crosses school property, even if the person shooting had no idea a school was present, or if the round ricocheted multiple times. 
Status:  Hearing - Homeland Security & Public Safety Committee; Died in committee.  
Position on Bill:  Oppose, very bad bill.

HB508 (Guillen, D, A+): Relating to certain laws relating to carrying concealed handguns on property owned or leased by a governmental entity; creating an offense. 
Impact:   Undetermined.
Status:  Hearing in Criminal Jurisprudence Committee 3/19/13.passed House 5/6/13; passed Senate 5/20/13 w/amendments; in House 5/20/13.  Died on the House Floor 5/26/13.
Position on Bill:  Support; excellent bill.

HB534 (Kleinschmidt, R, A+):  Relating to the punishment for the offense of resisting arrest, search, or transportation.
Impact:  Increases the penalty for resisting arrest, search or transportation [by peace officer], if the person has previously been convicted or received deferred adjudication for that offense.
Status:  Referred to Criminal Jurisprudence Committee 2/13/13; Died in committee.
Position on Bill:  Oppose as written; support if deferred adjudication is removed .
Note:  TFC does not oppose increasing penalties for persons previously convicted of the same offense.  However, deferred adjudications are not convictions and they should not be treated as such for this offense, or for CHL eligibility.

HB553 (Otto):  Relating to firearms and the preservation of the Second Amendment to the United States Constitution; providing penalties
Impact:  Creates an offense for a Texas peace officer attempting to enforce certain federal laws, regulations or Presidential executive orders.  Also creates an offense for federal agents and employees attempting enforce such laws, regulations and executive orders. 
Status:  Hearing - Federalism & Fiscal Responsibility Committee 3/13/13.  Died in committee.
Position on Bill:  Support.

HB572 (Issac, R A+):  Relating to the issuance to veterans of specially marked licenses to carry a concealed handgun and specially marked personal identification certificates.
Impact:  Gives military veterans the option to have "Veteran" displayed on their Concealed Handgun License and other personal identification.
StatusStatus:  Hearing in Federalism & Fiscal Responsibility Committee on 2/28/13.  Died in committee.
Position on Bill:  Support.

HB627 (Krause, Matt (R):  Relating to exempting the intrastate manufacture of a firearm, a firearm accessory, or ammunition from federal regulation.
Impact:  Purports to exempt most firearms manufactured and sold in Texas from federal laws.  It also requires the Texas Attorney General to defend any Texan prosecuted by federal authorities for violating federal statues impacted by this bill. 

Status:  Hearing - Federalism & Fiscal Responsibility Committee 3/13/13;  Died in committee.
Position on Bill:  Support.  It amounts to nothing more than a statement of position, but it's a good statement.  Having the AG defend a Texan certainly adds something to the mix.

HB663 (Gonzales, Larry, R):  
Impact:  Extends the expiration date for military personnel deployed outside the U.S. until their 1st birthday after returning home.
Status:  Referred to Homeland Security & Public Safety Committee 2/18/13.  Died in committee.
Position on Bill:  Undetermined.  Well-intended bill that could result in unintended consequences causing the loss of NICS exemption - Investigation underway.

HB698 (Springer, R)Relating to the use of digital or electronic fingerprinting for an application for a license to carry a concealed handgun.
Impact:  Limits the DPS requirement for CHL applicants to use digital fingerprints only if a facility to "roll" digital prints is available no more than 25 miles from the applicant's residence.
Status:  Final passage 5/21/13.
Position on Bill:  Support.

HB700 (Lavender, R):  Relating to the authority of a person who is licensed to carry a handgun to openly carry the handgun; providing penalties.
Impact:  Legalizes openly carrying handguns by persons holding a Texas Concealed Handgun License.
Status:  Hearing - Homeland Security & Public Safety Committee. Died in committee.
Position on Bill:  Support the committee substitute.

Special Note:  Rep. Lavender did not want the bill written as it was drafted by legislative counsel.  He will file a committee substitute that removes any amendments to Tex. Penal Code §30.06 and that may or may not create a similar section for open-carry.  If this substitute is filed and if it removes all amendments to Section 30.06, then the TFC position on this bill will be changed to "Support" while watching closely for anti-gun amendments that could change our position on this bill.

HB706 (Capriglione, R):  Relating to the carrying of concealed handguns on certain premises of or locations associated with schools or institutions of higher education.
Impact:  "Campus-carry" bill. that prohibits public and private colleges and universities from prohibiting the carrying of handguns anywhere on campus by persons holding a Texas Concealed Handgun License.  It would not apply to out-of-state licenses.
Status:  Hearing -  Homeland Security & Public Safety Committee 3/14/13.  Died in Cimmittee .
Position on Bill:  Support.

HB801 (Munoz, Sergio, D)Relating to the discharge of a firearm across the property line of a school; providing criminal penalties.
Impact:  Creates a strict liability crime if a round fired from a firearm crosses school property, even if the person shooting had no idea a school was present, or if the round ricocheted multiple times.
Status:  Hearing - Homeland Security & Public Safety Committee 3/28/13.   Passed House 5/6/13;  Died in Senate Committee.
Position on Bill:  Oppose, very bad bill.  (Very similar to HB507, also a very bad bill.)

HB872 (Laubengerg, R):  Relating to exempting the intrastate manufacture of a firearm, a firearm accessory, or ammunition from federal regulation.
Impact:  Similar to HB627 purporting to exempt firearms manufactured and sold in Texas from federal laws.
Status: Hearing -  Federalism & Fiscal Responsibility Committee 3/13/13.  Died in Cimmittee.
Position on Bill:  Support.  It amounts to nothing more than a statement of position, but it's a good statement.

HB 928 (Krause, R): Relating to the enforcement of certain federal laws regulating firearms, firearm accessories, and firearm ammunition within the State of Texas.
Impact:
Status: Passed House 5/7/13; on Senate Intent Calendar 5/22/13; died in Senate Calendar .
Position on Bill:  Support.  It amounts to nothing more than a statement of position, but it's a good statement.

HB 936 (Dutton, D, F):  Relating to the criminal consequences of engaging in certain conduct with respect to a switchblade knife.
Impact:  Removes prohibition of possession, manufacturing, etc. of switchblade knives, but makes it illegal to carry them in locations set out in Tex. Penal Code §46.035.
Status: Committee on House Criminal Jurisprudence 2/19/13; died in committee.
Position on Bill:  Support.

HB972 (Fletcher): Relating to the carrying of concealed handguns on the campuses of and certain other locations associated with institutions of higher education.
Impact:  Establishes campus-carry for colleges and universities for CHL's.
Status:  Homeland Security & Public Safety Committee 3/14/13; Passed House 5/6/13; on  Senate Intent Calendar 5/22/13; died on Senate Intent Calendar.
Companion Bill:  SB182 by Birdwell.

Position on Bill:  Support, very good bill.

HB 1009 (Villalba, R):Relating to the creation of a new category of law enforcement officer who shall be designated a school marshal.
Impact:  Creates a "school marshal" quasi-peace officer, but only school employees qualify and with special training every two years.

Status:   Homeland Security & Public Safety Committee; final passage 5/22/13.
Position on Bill:  Oppose, bill is too restrictive.
NOTE:  As written, this bill is too restrictive because it precludes volunteers, requires additional training every two years (in addition to being a CHL), and places the cost on teachers and other school employees.  Well-intended bill, but overall a poor bill.

HB 1030 (Burnam, D F-): Relating to the authority of a political subdivision to prohibit the sale of firearms on public property in certain circumstances.
Impact:  Allows cities and counties to prohibit the sale of firearms on government owned or controlled property, except at permanent retain gun shops.  The intent is to allow the prohibition of gun shows.

Status: Referred to Homeland Security & Public Safety Committee  2/21/13.  Died in committee.
Position on Bill:  Oppose, very bad bill and typical of F-Rated Lon Burnam.

HB 1049 (Laubenberg, R): Relating to the enforcement of certain federal laws regulating firearms, firearm accessories, and firearm ammunition within the State of Texas.
Impact:
Status: Hearing - Federalism & Fiscal Responsibility Committee 3/13/13 .   Died in committee.
Position on Bill:  Support.  It amounts to nothing more than a statement of position, but it's a good statement.

HB 1051 (Keffer, R): Relating to the application of certain concealed handgun license laws to United States attorneys and assistant United States attorneys and to the authority of those attorneys to carry certain weapons.
Impact:  Provides special treatment for U.S. Attorneys concerning Concealed Handgun Licensing, giving them the same status as Texas judges, etc.
Status: Hearing - Homeland Security & Public Safety Committee 3/21/13.  Died in Committee.
Position on Bill:  Neutral.

HB 1076 (Toth, R):Relating to certain firearms, firearm accessories and firearm ammunition within the State of Texas.
Impact:
Status:   Passed House 5/6/13; died on Senate Intent Calendar.
Position on Bill:  Support.  It amounts to nothing more than a statement of position, but it's a good statement.

HB 1077 (Kleinschmidt, R, A+): Relating to the transportation and storage of firearms and ammunition in private vehicles on the campuses of institutions of higher education.
Impact: A bill that essentially extends the so-called "employer parking lot bill" to colleges and universities and applies to both employees and students.  That is, they cannot be disciplined, fired, or expelled for having firearms in their locked vehicles.
Status: Hearing - Homeland Security & Public Safety Committee 3/14/13; laid on table for companion SB1907 5/8/13; SB1907 passed 5/26/13.
Position on Bill:  Support, very good bill.

HB 1078 (Kleinschmidt, R, A+): Relating to the carrying of concealed handguns on certain premises of or locations associated with institutions of higher education.
Impact:  De-criminalizes carrying of a handgun by a Concealed Handgun Licensee anywhere on a college or university campus, including the "premises" as statutorily defined, activity grounds, and transportation vehicles.
Status: Hearing - Homeland Security & Public Safety Committee 3/14/13.  Died in committee.
Position on Bill:  Support; excellent bill.

HB 1194 (Paddie, R): Relating to the authority of a person who is licensed to carry a handgun to openly carry the handgun.
Impact:  Another open-carry bill.
Status: Hearing - Homeland Security & Public Safety Committee 3/14/13.  Died in committee.
Position on Bill:  Oppose, very bad bill!
NOTE:  This bill is much like the terrible bill filed in the 2011 Texas Legislative Session that opens massive sections of the Texas Government Code and Penal Code to anti-gun amendments.  It's "relating to" clause is unnecessarily broad which also supports anti-gun amendments.  It also amends Tex. Penal Code §30.06 to apply to both open-carry and concealed-carry meaning any property owner wanting to prohibit open-carry must also prohibit concealed-carry.   This is a horrible bill!  See comments on HB700, another open-carry bill.


HB 1298 (Stickland, R):Relating to the carrying of concealed handguns by certain license holders on certain locations associated with a public or private school or educational institution.
Impact:  Purports to limit the so-called "activity grounds" on which firearms are prohibited.
Status:  Hearing - Homeland Security & Public Safety Committee 3/14/13.  Died in committee.
Position on Bill:  Support the committee substitute, very good bill!  (CSHB1298)

HB 1299 (Stickland, R): Relating to municipal regulation of electric stun guns, knives, and personal defense sprays.
Impact:  Preempts cities from regulating knives, stun guns, and personal defense sprays, except in secured areas protected by metal detectors. 
Status: Hearing - Urban Affairs Committee 3/13/13.  Died on House General Calendar.
Position on Bill:  Support.

HB 1304 (Sheets, R): Relating to the intentional display of a handgun.
Impact:  Amends Tex. Penal Code §46.035(a) such that a person must intentionally "display" (rather than "fail to conceal") a handgun in order to violate that Code provision.  It also amends the defense to "intentional display" set out in Tex. Penal Code §46.035(h) by deleting the word "deadly" bringing it in line with other defenses in Tex. Penal Code Chapter 9, including §9.04.
Status: Laid on table for companion SB299 that passed and was signed by Governor Perry.
Position on Bill:  Support.

HB 1313 (Creighton, R): Relating to the carrying of concealed handguns on certain premises of or locations associated with schools or institutions of higher education.
Impact:  This is a comprehensive campus-carry bill that 1) decriminalizes carrying of handguns on the "premises" of colleges and universities, activity grounds and transportation vehicles.  It provides immunity to schools and their employees.
Status: Hearing - Homeland Security & Public Safety Committee 3/14/13.  Died in committee.
Position on Bill:  Support.

HB 1314 (Creighton, R): Relating to the unlawful seizure of a firearm by a governmental officer or employee.
Impact:  Creates an offense for state or federal law enforcement personnel to seize a firearm under color of federal law; with broad and vague exception.
Status: Passed House 5/6/13; died on Senate Intent Calendar. 
Position on Bill:  Oppose.
NOTE:  This is a well-intended bill, but it's exceptions gut the bill.  Rep. Otto's HB553 is a far superior bill in terms of creating a constitutional criminal offense for a Texas peace officer to aid in enforcing certain federal laws.

HB 1344 (Canales, Terry, D):  Relating to the expunction of arrest records and files relating to certain nonviolent offenses.
Impact:  Provides a mechanism for people who successfully complete a deferred adjudication for nonviolent offenses to have their records expunged.
Status: Hearing - Criminal Jurisprudence 3/19/13; died on House floor when Point-Of-Order was sustained 5/10/13.
Position on Bill:  Support.

HB 1349 (Larson, R): Relating to information that may be requested by the Department of Public Safety from a person applying for or renewing a concealed handgun license.
Impact:  Prohibits the Tex. Dept. of Public Safety from requiring the disclosure of an applicant for a Texas Concealed Handgun License to provide their social security number. 
Status:  Homeland Security & Public Safety Committee; passed House 5/6/13; passed Seante w/amendments 5/20/13; in House 5/20/13.
Position on Bill:  Neutral


HB1421 (Perry):  Relating to the disposition of certain seized weapons.
Impact:  Provides a judge the option to order firearms confiscated from criminal defendants or suspects sold at auction by an FFL, rather than requiring them to be destroyed for forfeited to a law enforcement agency.
Status:  Final passage 5/15/13; sent to Governor 5/15/13.
Companion Bill:  SB343 by Estes. 

Position on Bill:  Support.

HB1531 (King, Ken):  Relating to the application of certain weapons laws to certain emergency services personnel licensed to carry a concealed handgun.
Impact:  Allows responding emergency medical personnel with a CHL to carry into otherwise off-limits areas.  Applies only to counties with a population of 50,000 or less.
Status:  Hearing - Homeland Security & Public Safety Committee 3/21/13.  Died in Committee.
Position on Bill:  Support.

HB1533 (Leach):  Relating to an exemption from the sales tax for firearms and hunting supplies for a limited period.
Impact:  Exempts firearms, ammo and related hunting equipment from state sales tax on March 2nd each year.
Status:  Referred to Ways and Means Committee 2/25/13.  Died in Committee.
Position on Bill:  Support.
 
HB 1747 (Canales): Relating toa packaging notice for new firearms and firearm ammunition; imposing a criminal penalty.
Impact: Requires a lable on all firearms and ammunition sold, shipped to or manufactured in Texas that discloses the maximum distance a bullet will travel.
Status: House Homeland Security and Public Safety.  Died in Committee.
Position on Bill: Oppose. this absurd bill.

NOTE:  Obviously, this is an impossible stadard to meet as no ammo manufacture can provice this information due to the numerous variables that will impact range on any given day for any various firearms.

HB 1872 (Simmons, R): Relating to federal firearm reporting for a person who voluntarily identifies as a person with mental illness.
Impact: If a person reports themselves to law enforcement as having a mental disorder that disqualifies themself from possessing firearms, they must be included in reports to the federal government for inclusion in NICS. It also provides a mechanism for getting off the reporting list.
Status:  House Homeland Security and Public Safety Committee. Died in Committee..
Position on Bill:  Neutral

HB 1896 (King R): Relating to firearm training and the authority of certain employees of a school district or open-enrollment charter school to carry or possess a handgun on certain school premises.
Impact: Creates a requirement for special training for school employees in order to carry firearms on the “premises” of a school.
Status: Hearing - House Homeland Security and Public Safety.  Died in Committee.
Position on Bill: Oppose.
NOTE:  Shools already have the authority to authorize the carrying of firearms and this bill restricts this authority.


HB 2063 (Gooden, R):
Relating to authorizing certain attorneys representing the state to openly carry a handgun.
Impact: Allows certain government attorneys to carry a handgun openly.
Status:   Died in Committee on House Homeland Security and Public Safety.

Position on Bill:  Neutral

HB 2147 (Hilderbran, R): Relating to the carrying of concealed handguns by certain county officers and employees in a courthouse.
Impact: Allows certain county employees to carry a handgun in courthouses.
Status: In House Homeland Security and Public Safety.  Died in committee.
Position on Bill:  Neutral

HB 2381 (Isaac, R): Relating to the carrying of a concealed handgun by a license holder on certain premises.
Impact: Makes the “premises” of a school off-limits only during school when students are present. Also makes it clear that “activity grounds” and busses must be owned or controlled by a school to be off-limits.
Status: House Homeland Security and Public Safety.  Died in committee.
Position on Bill:  Support this excellent bill!

HB 2407 (Naishtat, D): Relating to restoration of a person's right to purchase a firearm on termination of a guardianship.
Impact: Purports to create a mechanism to be removed from the federal "no buy" NICS list, but the requirements are designed to make it difficult if not impossible to be removed.
Status:  Final passage 5/22/13.
Position on Bill: Oppose this bad bill. .

HB 2535 (Schaefer, R): Relating to the exemption from certain security licensure of certain persons who provide security services on a volunteer basis at a private primary or secondary school or church or religious organization.
Impact: Allows CHL’s to serve as volunteer security for schools and churches.
Status: House Homeland Security & Public Safety Committee.  Died in committee.
Position on Bill:  Support  if Section 2 of the Bill is deleted.

 HB 2759 (Anderson,R): Relating to decreasing the fee to apply for or renew a concealed handgun license.
Impact: Reduces the fee for an initial to not more than $95 and limits renewal fee to not more than $70.
Status: Homeland Security & Public Safety Committee 3/18/13. Died in committee.
Position on Bill:  Support

HB 2860 (Harless, R): Relating to requiring the attorney general to obtain an injunction against a municipality or county that adopts prohibited regulations regarding firearms, ammunition, or firearm supplies.
Impact:Requires the Texas Attorney General to seek a permanent or temporary injunction against any county seeking to regulate sport shooting ranges in violation of the Texas range protection laws.
Status: State Affairs Committee 4/3/13; companion SB987 considered in lieu 4/17/13.  ied in committee, but SB987 passed.
Companions:SB 987 by Hegar
Position on Bill:  Support this excellent bill!

HB 3142 (Bell, R): Relating to handguns used to demonstrate proficiency in handgun use for purposes of obtaining a concealed handgun license.
Impact:  Repeals the SA and NSA categories for handguns in the CHL statute.
Status: Final passage 5/26/13.
Position on Bill:  Support

HB 3143 (Anchia, D): Relating to the creation of certain offenses concerning firearm sales at gun shows.
Impact: Requires background checks for all sales at gun shows and creates requirements for gun show promoters.
Status: Homeland Security & Public Safety Committee.  Died in Committee.
Position on Bill: Oppose.

HB 3218 (Springer, R):Relating to the places where a person may carry a handgun if the person is licensed to carry a concealed handgun.
Impact: Removes off-limits locations for CHL’s; clarifies that “premises” only apply to portion of buildings.
Status:  Homeland Security & Public Safety Committee.  Died in committee.
Position on Bill:  Support this excellent bill.

HB 3219 (Springer, R): Relating to the places where an elected official who is licensed to carry a concealed handgun may carry a concealed handgun.
Impact: Adds “elected officials” to the list of people who have a defense to a charge under Tex. Penal Code Sections 46.02, 46.02, and 46.035(b)
Status:  Hearing - Homeland Security & Public Safety Committee 4/18/13Died in committee.
Position on Bill:  Neutral

HB 3267 (Creighton, R): Relating to unlawful possession of a firearm by an illegal alien.
Impact: Creates an offense for an illegal alien to possess firearms.
Status: Referred to State Affairs Committee 3/25/13.  Died in committee.
Position on Bill:  Support

HB 3278 (Gonzalez, D): Relating to the collection and enforcement of sales and use taxes on imported firearms.
Impact: Requires a Texas FFL to collect sales tax on the purchase price of a firearm purchased outside Texas.
Status: Hearing - Ways & Means Committee 4/22/13.  Died in committee.
Position on Bill: Oppose.

HB 3288 (Davis, D): Relating to drug testing of a person seeking to obtain or renew a concealed handgun license.
Impact: Requires drug testing to obtain or renew a CHL.
Status: Referred to Homeland Security & Public Safety Committee. Died in committee.
Position on Bill: Oppose this absurd and insulting bill.

HB3347 (Rodruguez, D): Relating to the creation of certain offenses concerning firearm sales at gun shows.
Impact: Requires background checks for all sales at gun shows and creates requirements for gun show promoters.
Status:  Referred to Homeland Security & Public Safety Committee 3/19/13.  Died in committee.
Position on Bill: Oppose.

HB3772 (Coleman, D, F): Relating to criminal history background checks in connection with firearm transfers; creating offenses.
Impact: Makes Tex. Dept. of Public Safety the Point of Contact for all firearm transfers. It also creates various offenses duplicating or expanding current federal law.
Status: Referred to Homeland Security & Public Safety Committee 3/19/13.  Died in committee.
Position on Bill: Oppose.

HJR 113 (Ashby, R): Proposing a constitutional amendment relating to the right to hunt and fish in accordance with state law.
Impact:  Adds a right to hunt and fish to the Texas Constitution, while protecting private property rights and allowing for game management.
Status: Filed 3/5/13 Hearing - Referred to Cultural, Recreation & Tourism 3/27/13.  Died in committee.
Position on Bill:  Support.


Senate Bills:

SB11 (Nelson, R, A):  Relating to the administration and operation of the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program. 
Impact:   Prohibits funds received as Temporary Aid To Needy Families from being used to purchase firearms.

Status:  Health & Human Services Committee.  Passed Senate 4/10/13; died on House General Calendar
Position on Bill: Neutral.

SB17 (Patrick, R, A):  Relating to the training in school safety of certain employees of a school district or an open-enrollment charter school authorized to carry a concealed handgun on school premises.
Impact:  Establishes a voluntary DPS run training program for school employees who hold a CHL.  It does not limit a school's authority to allow any person to carry a firearm on the school "premises."
Status:  Final passage 5/25/13.
Position on Bill:  Support.

SB164 (Van de Putte):  Relating to the issuance to veterans of specially marked licenses to carry a concealed handgun and specially marked personal identification certificates
Impact:  Allows veterans to have "Veteran" imprinted on their CHL and other ID.
Status:  Veterans Affairs/Military Installations Committee; final passage 5/20/13.
Companion Bill:  SB572 by Isaac.
Position on bill:  Neutral.

SB182 (Birdwell):  Relating to the carrying of concealed handguns on the campuses of and certain other locations associated with institutions of higher education
Impact: Establishes campus-carry for colleges and universities for CHL's.  
Status:  Referred to Criminal Justice Committee 1/29/13Died in committee.
Companion Bill:  HB972 by Fletcher.
Position on Bill:  Support, very good bill.

SB231 (Carona, R):  Relating to the applicability of certain concealed handgun laws to certain associate judges.
Impact:  Extends the current CHL class hour exemptions and limited course requirement to available to certain judges to more judges.

Status:  Criminal Justice Committee 3/12/13; Passed the Senate 3/27/13; died in House Calendars.  (Provisions added to HB508.)
Position on bill:  Neutral.

SB299 (Estes, R, A+):  Relating to the unintentional display of a weapon by a person licensed to carry a concealed handgun.
Impact:  Clarifies that unintentional or accidental exposure of a handgun by a person holding a Texas Concealed Handgun License (or a recognized license from another state) is not an offense.
Status:  Final passage 5/7/13; signed by Gov. Perry 5/18/13.
Position on Bill:  Support, excellent bill!

SB343 (Estes, R, A+):  Relating to the disposition of certain seized weapons.
Impact:  Provides a judge the option to order firearms confiscated from criminal defendants or suspects sold at auction by an FFL, rather than requiring them to be destroyed for forfeited to a law enforcement agency.
Status:  Referred to Criminal Justice Committee 2/5/13 Died in committee.
Companion Bill:  HB1421 by Perry.
Position on Bill:  Support, good bill .

SB481 (Hinojosa):  Relating to the recognition and validity of a license to carry a concealed handgun issued by another state.
Impact:  Requires Texas "domiciles" to have a Texas CHL to carry a handgun in Texas.
Status:  Hearing - Criminal Justice Committee 3/26/13; reported favorably 4/10/13; placed on Intent Calendar 4/15/13 (not voted); placed on Intent Calendar 4/22/13.  Died after failing to get 21 votes to suspend the Senate rules.
Companion Bill:  HB383 by Burnam.
Position on Bill:  Oppose; unnecessary bill.

SB707 (Paxton): Relating to the definition of intoxicated for purposes of certain weapons offenses.
Impact:  Redefines "intoxication" for some firearms related offenses, including CHL holders.
Status:  Referred to Criminal Justice Committee on 2/25/13.    Died in committee.
Companion Bill:  HB153
Position on Bill:  Support, good bill .

SB858 (Deuell, R, A+):  Relating to the number of classroom hours required in a handgun proficiency course that is taken to obtain a concealed handgun license.
Impact:  Reduces the CHL class from 10 to 15 hours to 4 to 6 hours.
Status:  Referred to Criminan Justice Committee 3/5/13.    Died in committee.  However, SB864 passed.
Position on Bill:  Support, good bill.

SB864 (Campbell, R, A)Relating to a handgun proficiency course that is taken to obtain or renew a concealed handgun license.
Impact:  Reduces the CHL class from 10 to 15 hours to 4 to 6 hours.
Status:  Final passage 5/9/13.
Companion Bill:  HB 47 (Not identical but very similar.)
Position on Bill:  Support, good bill.

SB987   (Hegar, R, A+) Relating to requiring the attorney general to obtain an injunction against a municipality or county that adopts prohibited regulations regarding firearms, ammunition, or firearm supplies.]
Impact: Requires the Texas Attorney General to seek a permanent or temporary injunction against any county seeking to regulate sport shooting ranges in violation of the Texas range protection laws.
Companions: HB 2860
Status: Final passage 5/22/13.

Position on Bill:  Support
NOTE:  Amended to change "shall" to "may" severly damaging the bill.

SB 1025 (Seliger, R): Relating to the offense of the carrying of a handgun by a concealed handgun license holder at certain meetings of a governmental entity.
Impact: Requires written authorization for an armed CHL to attend a governmental meeting.
Staus: Criminal Justice Committee.  Died in committee.
Position on Bill: Oppose.
NOTE:   It is believed that this bill was filed with the intent to authorize persons to carry at meetings of governmental entities, but the author didn’t understand that TPC §46.035(i) essentially makes it lawful now.

SB 1161 (Hancock, R): Relating to the creation of a new category of law enforcement officer who shall be designated a school marshal.
Impact:
Creates a "school marshal" quasi-peace officer, but only school employees qualify and with special training every two years.
Status: Education Committee.  Died in committee.
Companions:  HB 1009
Position on Bill: Oppose - too restrictive.
NOTE:  As written, this bill is too restrictive because it precludes volunteers, requires additional training every two years (in addition to being a CHL), and places the cost on teachers and other school employees.  Well-intended bill, but overall a poor bill.

SB 1189 (Huffman, R): Relating to the disposition of certain firearms seized by a law enforcement agency..
Impact: Establishes a procedure for gun owners or their designee to recover firearms seized from someone taken into custody on an emergency mental health warrant.
Companions:  HB 3673
Status: Final passage 5/21/13.
Position on Bill: Support.  The amended bill is very good.
NOTE:  A bill was written by Charles Cotton in conjunction with ranking officer from the Houston and Friendswood Police Departments and an attorney from HPD.  SB1189 in its as-filed form bears little resemblance to the bill we drated over several months.  A committee substitute has been proposed, and although much better, it contains a requirement for a gun owner to make a petition to a court to recover their own property.  Strongly oppose this bill unless that provision is stricken from the bill and all other aspects of the bill are retuned to the form drafted by the ad hoc task force.  UPDATE: The Bill was amended is now very good. 

SB 1324 (Seliger, R): Relating to the authority to organize volunteer safety groups at churches, synagogues, and other places of religious worship.
Impact: Creates an exception to the requirement to have a security officer’s certification when serving with a school or church security group.
Status: Referred to Criminal Justice 3/13/13.  Died in committee.
Position on Bill: Support very good amended bill .
NOTE:  Support if amended to remove amendment to TPC §46.035(b)(6_.  UPDATE:  Bill was amended.

SB 1348 (West, D): Relating to certain criminal offenses concerning the unlawful transfer or purchase of certain weapons.
Impact: Duplicates federal law and creates new offense related to transfer of firearms.
Status: Criminal Justice 3/26/13; passed Senate 4/30/13; died in  House Calendars.
Position on Bill: Oppose this overly broad, vague and unnecessary bill.

 SB 1349 (West, D): Relating to the use of deadly force in defense of a person or property.
Impact: Duplicates federal law and creates new offense related to transfer of firearms.
Status:  Criminal Justice.  Died in committee.
Position on Bill: Oppose this terrible bill that guts the protections of SB378 (2007), the so-called Texas version of the "Castle Doctrine."

 SB 1400 (Estes, R): Relating to the municipal and county regulation of air guns.
Impact:   Prohibits cities from regulating the discharge of air guns on certain property, including private property if pellet traps are used. Also has other reasonable requirements. Prohibits counties from regulating the discharge of air guns except on specific county property.
Status:  Final passage 5/22/13.
Position on Bill:  Support

SB 1526 (Ellis, D, F): Relating to criminal history background checks in connection with firearm transfers.
Impact: Makes Tex. Dept. of Public Safety the Point of Contact for all firearm transfers. It also creates various offenses duplicating or expanding current federal law.
Companions: HB 3772
Status: Criminal Justice Committee.  Died in committee.
Position on Bill: Oppose this terrible bill!

SB 1527 (Ellis, D, F): Relating to the creation of certain offenses concerning firearm sales at gun shows.
Impact: Requires background checks for all sales at gun shows and creates requirements for gun show promoters.
Companions:  HB 3347
Status: Agricultural, Rural Affairs & Homeland Security CommitteeDied in committee.
Position on Bill: Oppose.

SB 1907 (Hegar, R, A+):  Relating to the transportation and storage of firearms and ammunition in private vehicles on the campuses of institutions of higher education.
Impact:  Prohibits public and private colleges and universities from adopting policies preventing persons lawfully possessing firearms from storing them in their locked vehicles anywhere on campus.  The Bill essentially expands the employer parking lot bill passed in 2011 to colleges and universities.
Status:  Final passage 5/26/13.
Position on Bill:  Support this very necessary bill.