HBA-NRS H.B. 118 77(R) BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 118 By: Wise Public Safety 2/13/2001 Introduced BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Under current law, a person is eligible to receive a concealed handgun license if the person meets certain criteria and pays the $140 application and license fee. Certain persons are permitted to pay a reduced fee. House Bill 118 authorizes a person who is a member of the state military forces to apply for a concealed handgun license and pay a fee of $25 to receive the license. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution. ANALYSIS House Bill 118 amends the Government Code to authorize a person who is a member of the state military forces to apply for a concealed handgun license. The bill requires the applicant to submit to the Department of Public Safety (DPS) two complete sets of fingerprints and a sworn statement of the commanding officer of the applicant's unit. The bill prohibits the commanding officer from refusing to issue the statement and requires DPS to investigate the validity of the statement if the applicant alleges that the statement is untrue. The bill sets forth that the statement must include: _the name and rank of the applicant; _whether the applicant has been accused of misconduct at any time during the applicant's period of membership in the state military forces and the disposition of the accusation; _a description of the physical and mental condition of the applicant; _a list of the types of weapons the applicant has demonstrated proficiency with during the preceding year; and _a recommendation from the commanding officer that a concealed handgun license be issued to the applicant. The bill authorizes DPS to issue the concealed handgun license if the statement from the commanding officer of the applicant's unit is in compliance and it indicates that the applicant is qualified and physically and mentally fit to carry a handgun. The bill requires the applicant to pay a fee of $25 for a concealed handgun license and provides that the license will expire on the first birthday of the license holder occurring after the fourth anniversary of the date of issuance. EFFECTIVE DATE On passage, or if the Act does not receive the necessary vote, the Act takes effect September 1, 2001.