HBA-MSH H.B. 507 77(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 507
By: Allen
Public Safety
2/20/2001
Introduced



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Under current law, a peace officer may carry a firearm under different
circumstances than an individual licensed to carry a concealed handgun
(licensee).  For example, a licensee is prohibited from carrying the
firearm on certain premises, such as a school, a court building, an
airport, or a racetrack.  House Bill 507 authorizes the Department of
Public Safety to adopt a permit process to authorize the licensee or any
other individual to carry a firearm in the same manner as a peace officer. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

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

ANALYSIS

House Bill 507 amends the Government Code to authorize the Department of
Public Safety (DPS),  by rule, to adopt a permit process that authorizes a
concealed handgun license holder or other individual to carry a concealed
handgun or any other firearm.  In establishing the permit process, the bill
requires DPS to determine the form of any required applications, the
qualifications required of applicants, and the imposition of costs on
applicants for permits.  The bill provides that the possession of such a
permit 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. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2001.