HBA-NIK H.B. 2257 76(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 2257
By: Allen
Public Safety
3/24/1999
Introduced



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Currently, the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) does not have an
established permit process for a license holder or other individual to
carry a concealed handgun or any other firearm. H.B. 2257 allows the DPS to
adopt a permit process allowing a permit holder to carry firearms in the
same manner as is provided to peace officers by the laws of this state. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that rulemaking
authority is expressly delegated to the Texas Department of Public Safety
in SECTION 1 (Section 411.209, Government Code), of this bill. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Subchapter H, Chapter 411, Government Code, by adding
Section 411.209, as follows: 

Sec. 411.209.  SPECIAL FIREARMS PERMIT.  (a)  Authorizes the Texas
Department of Public Safety (department), by rule, to adopt a permit
process that authorizes a license holder or other individual to carry a
concealed handgun or any other firearm.  Requires the department to
determine the form of any required applications, qualifications required of
applicants, and the imposition of costs on applicants for permits. 

(b)  Provides that the possession of a permit issued by the department
provides the permit holder with an exception to the application of laws
prohibiting the carrying of firearms in the same manner as is provided to
peace officers by the laws of this state. 

SECTION 2.  Effective date: September 1, 1999.

SECTION 3.  Emergency clause.