2009 Bill Status Report

HOUSE BILLS:

Bill No.:  HB47
Author:  (Riddle, R, A+)
Caption:  Relating to the procedures for registering to vote and accepting a voter at a polling place.
Description:  Allows CHL to be used as identification for voting, under certain circumstances.
Companion:
Position on bill:   Neutral.
Status:  Referred to committee:Elections
Legislative History:   http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=81R&Bill=HB47
Final Disposition:  Died in Committee.

Bill No.:  HB125
Author:   (Brown, R, A+)
Caption  Relating to requiring a voter to present proof of identification.
Description:  Among other things, this is another bill allowing a CHL to be used as voter identification.
Companion:
Position on bill   Neutral.
Status:  Referred to committee:  Elections - left pending.
Legislative History:  http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=81R&Bill=HB125
Final Disposition:  Died in Commitee.

Bill No.:  HB140  
Author:  (Toureilles, D, A)
Caption   Relating to the use or display under certain circumstances of an expired license to carry a concealed handgun.
Description:   Allows a CHL to carry on an expired CHL, if they have applied for renewal and haven't been notified by DPS that their application has been rejected.  Potential problem with NICS exemption for Texas CHLs.
Companion:  
Position on bill  
Status:  Passed House 5/1/; in Senate 5/4.
Legislative History:  http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=81R&Bill=HB140
Final Disposition:  Passed HouseNot considered in Senate

Bill No.:  HB176
Author:   (King, R, A)
Caption  Relating to the punishment for the offense of aggravated assault.
Description:  This bill raises the penalty for aggravated assault from a 2nd degree felony to a 1st degree felony, if the agg. assault involved shooting in the direction of an occupied building, habitation, or vehicle and a person suffers serious bodily injury.
Companion:  
Position on bill   Neutral.
Status:  Voted favorably from House Criminal Jurisprudence Committee 4/30.
Legislative History:  http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=81R&Bill=HB176
Final Disposition:  Passed.

Bill No.:  HB267
Author:  (Bonnen, R, A)
Caption   Relating to the interstate purchase of certain firearms.
Description:  This bill will prevent the BATFE from incorrectly denying the purchase of a long gun in a state that is not contiguous with Texas
Companion:  
Position on bill Support.
Status:   Voted favorably from the House Public Safety Committee, 3/13/09 - Considered in Calendars Committee 5/2.
Legislative History:   http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=81R&Bill=HB267
Final Disposition:  Died in House; Companion SB1188 passed.

Bill No.:  HB292
Author:  (Dutton, D, F)
Caption  Relating to the restoration of certain rights to a criminal defendant.
Description:   This bill would allow criminal defendants convicted of state crimes to seek restoration of civil rights.  As currently written, the statute would apply only to federal crimes and conviction from foreign countries.  
Companion:  
Position on bill  Neutral.
Status:   Left pending in sub-committee of the Criminal Jurisprudence Committee.
Legislative History:   http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=81R&Bill=HB292
Final Disposition:  Died in Committee.

Bill No.:  HB397
Author:  (Hartnet, R, A)
Caption  Relating to the regulation of private process servers; providing penalties.
Description:  This bill would require all private process servers to be licensed.  It would prohibit CHLs who are civil process servers from carrying a gun while serving papers, unless the CHL is also an active or retired LEO.
Companion:  
Position on bill   Neutral.
Status: Reported favorably form the Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence Committee 5/1.
Legislative History:    http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=81R&Bill=HB397
Final Disposition:  Passed House, died in Senate after amendment.

Bill No.:  HB410
Author:  (Isett, R, A+)
Caption  Relating to the requirement under certain circumstances that a license holder display their license to carry a concealed handgun.
Description:  This bill repeals the requirement to display your CHL when asked for identification.
Companion:  
Position on bill  Support this bill.
Status:  Passed House 5/1; referred to Senate Criminal Justice Committee 5/5.
Legislative History:  http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=81R&Bill=HB410
Final Disposition:  Died in Senate; some provisions added to HB2730.

Bill No.:  HB736
Author:  (Quintanilla, D, A)
Caption  Relating to authorizing county regulation of nuisances and disorderly conduct.  
Description:  This bill would empower counties to regulate many activities and to shut them down as a nuisance, including a noise nuisance.  This is a very dangerous bill for shooting ranges, hunting, and any other outdoor activity that makes noise.
Companion:  
Position on bill   Oppose this bill as substituted.  A floor amendment is expected and will change the "position" on the bill to "support" if adopte.
Status:  Voted favorably, as amended from House County Affairs Committee; in Calendars Committee 4/24.
Legislative History:   http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=81R&Bill=HB736
Final Disposition:  Died in House Calendars Committee.

Bill No.:  HB760
Author:  (McClendon, D, C-)
Caption   Relating to county regulation of sound levels; providing a criminal penalty.
Description:   This bill would provide for noise regulation between 10:00pm and 6:00am.  It is dangerous because the times could be removed at any point in the future, resulting in the same problem as with HB736.
Companion:  
Position on bill   Oppose.
Status:  Voted favorably from the House County Affairs Committee, 4/28; in Calendars Committee 8/1.
Legislative History:   http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=81R&Bill=HB760
Final Disposition:  Died in House Calendars Committee.

Bill No.:  HB836
Author:  (Miller, R,A)
Caption  Relating to sport hunting of feral hogs by helicopter.  
Description:  Allows hunting of feral hogs by helicopter.
Companion:  
Position on bill  Neutral.
Status:   Voted favorably from House Culture, Recreation & Tourism Committee, as substituted - considered in Calendars Committee 5/2.
Legislative History:   http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=81R&Bill=HB836
Final Disposition:  Passed House; died in Senate.

Bill No.:  HB968
Author:  (Homer, D, A+)
Caption  Relating to the use of crossbows for hunting.  
Description:  This bill would allow able-bodied hunters to hunt with crossbows.
Companion:  
Position on bill   Support.
Status:  Passed the House; Reported favorably fromthe Senate Agriculture & Rural Affairs Committee on 5/4.
Legislative History:  http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=81R&Bill=HB968
Final Disposition:  Passed; effective 9/1/09.

Bill No.:  HB1020[/url]
Author:   (Deshotel)
Caption  Relating to the use, exhibition, or possession of a firearm by public school students participating in certain school-sponsored programs and activities sponsored or supported by the Parks and Wildlife Department.
Description:   This bill is designed to protect students from expulsion when participating in certain shooting sports.
Companion:  
Position on bill   Support.
Status:    Passed House 5/4.
Legislative History:   http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=81R&Bill=HB1020
Final Disposition:  Passed.

Bill No.:  HN1087
Author:  (Pena, D, A+)
Caption   Relating to the prosecution and punishment of the offense of criminal trespass.
Description:  This bill makes significant changes to TPC 30.05 (Trespass) but they do not directly effect CHLs.
Companion:  
Position on bill  Neutral.
Status:  Left pending in Criminal Jurisprudence.
Legislative History:  http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=81R&Bill=HB1087
Final Disposition:  Left pending in committee.

Bill No.:  HB1119
Author:   (Bolton, D, C)
Caption   Relating to authorizing certain populous counties to adopt county planning regulations; providing criminal and civil penalties.  
Description:  This bill would allow counties to regulate the discharge of firearms in the unincorporated areas of certain counties with populations over 800,000.  It also provides for noise regulation.
Companion:  
Position on bill   Oppose this bill.
Status:   Referred to committee:  Land & Resource Management.
Legislative History:   http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=81R&Bill=HB1119
Final Disposition:  Died in committee.

Bill No.:  HB1164
Author:  (Martinez Fischer, D, C+)
Caption   Relating to restrictions on the use of a stun gun; providing certain criminal penalties and defenses to prosecution.
Description:   This bill is virtually identical to the terrible SB651 Senator Van de Putte has also filed. This is a terrible bill that will lead to much great delays in CHL processing by DPS.
Companion:  
Position on bill  Oppose.
Status:   Left pending in House Public Safety Committee, 3/9/09.
Legislative History:   http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=81R&Bill=HB1164
Final Disposition:  Left pending in committee.

Bill No.:  HB1301
Author:   (Frost, D, A+)
Caption   Relating to an employee's transportation and storage of certain firearms or ammunition while on certain property owned or controlled by the employee's employer.
Description: This bill would make it unlawful for an employer to prohibit the storage of any legally possessed firearm in an employee’s locked vehicle in the employer’s parking lot.
Companion: SB730
Position on bill   Support this very good bill.
Status:   Left pending in House Public Safety Committee.
Legislative History:   http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=81R&Bill=HB1301
Final Disposition:  Left pending in committee.

Bill No.:  HB1395
Author:  (Farrar, D, F)
Caption   Relating to the offenses of cruelty to livestock animals and cruelty to nonlivestock animals.
Description:   If this bill passes, an already overly broad PETA-style animal protection bill will get worse.  Hunters will be subject to arrest and will have to prove they were hunting "defense to prosecution."  Hunting is currently an "exception."   This is a horrible bill.
Companion:  
Position on bill   Oppose.
Status:   [color=green]No action taken in sub-committee of the House Criminal Jurisprudence Committee.[/color]
Legislative History:   http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=81R&Bill=HB1395
Final Disposition: Left pending in committee.

Bill No.:  HB1498
Author:   (Tracy King, D, A)
Caption  Relating to the information required to be displayed on a license to carry a concealed handgun and the duty of a license holder to keep that information current.
Description:  This bill would require DPS to indicate on a CHL that the person is a Qualified Handgun Instructor.
Companion:  
Position on bill   Neutral.
Status:    Passed House 5/2; received by Senate 5/4.
Legislative History:   http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=81R&Bill=HB1498
Final Disposition:  Died in Senate; provisions added to HR2730.

Bill No.:  HB1507
Author:   (Bolton, D, C)
Caption   Relating to authorizing certain populous counties to adopt noise regulations; providing criminal and civil penalties.  Yet another overly broad county noise regulation bill.  
Description: Another bad county noise regulation bill.
Companion:  
Position on bill   Oppose.  
Status:  Reported favorably from the County Affairs Committee, as substituted, in Calendars Committee.
Legislative History:   http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=81R&Bill=HB1507
Final Disposition:  Died in House Calendars Committee.

Bill No.:  HB1618
Author:  (Pena, D, A+)  
Caption  Relating to the civil and criminal prosecution of racketeering; providing penalties.
Description:  
Companion:  
Position on bill  Neutral.
Status:   Left pending in Criminal Jurisprudence  subcommittee.
Legislative History:   http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=81R&Bill=HB1618
Final Disposition:  Left pending in committee.

Bill No.:  HB1644
Author:  (Pena, D, A+)
Caption   Relating to admonishments given to a person charged with a misdemeanor.
Description:   This bill requires a defendant be notified of the effect of a guilty plea, or a conviction, for family violence on their right to possess firearms and ammo.  This is a good bill.
Companion:  
Position on bill   Support.
Status:  Voted favorably from the House Criminal Jurisprudence Committee - considered in Calendars Committee 4/27.
Legislative History:   http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/Text.aspx?LegSess=81R&Bill=HB1644
Final Disposition:  Died in House w/o referral; companion SB1236 passed.

Bill No.:  HB1863
Author:  (Berman, R, A+)
Caption  Relating to exempting the intrastate manufacture of a firearm, a firearm accessory, or ammunition from federal regulation.
Description:  This bill attempts to exempt firearms, accessories and ammo made in Texas from federal law.
Companion:  
Position on bill Neutral.
Status:  Reported favorably from the Public Safety Committee 5/1; in Calendars Committee 5/4.
Legislative History:  http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=81R&Bill=HB1863
Final Disposition:  Died in House Calendars Committee.

Bill No.:  HB1893
Author:  (Driver, R, A+)
Caption  Relating to the carrying of concealed handguns on the campuses of institutions of higher education.
Description:  This is the campus-carry bill.
Companion:
Position on bill  Support this great bill!
Status:  Voted favorably from the Public Safety Committee, as substituted - in Calendars Committee 5/2.
Legislative History:     http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=81R&Bill=HB1893]Legislative History.[/url]
Final Disposition:  Died on House General Calendar.

Bill No.:  HB2664
Author:  (Ritter, D, A)
Caption  Relating to creating a defense to prosecution for the offense of unlawful carrying of a handgun by a license holder on the premises of certain businesses.
Description:  This bill would make the lack of a 51% sign a defense to prosecution, of a CHL unknowingly enter a 51% location.
Companion:  
Position on bill   Support.
Status:  Passed House 5/1; in Senate 5/4.
Legislative History:   http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=81R&Bill=HB2664
Final Disposition:  Passed.


Bill No.:  HB3352
Author:  (Naishtat, D, D)
Caption   Relating to the collection, dissemination, and correction of certain judicial determinations for a federal firearm background check.
Description:  This bill would require information that would render a mental patient disqualified from possessing firearms to be provided to the FBI for inclusion in the NICS database.  It would also establish a procedure for a patient to have his/her name removed from the NICS database.
Companion:  SB1866
Position on bill Neutral.
Status:  Passed House 4/30; referred to the Senate Criminal Justice Committee 5/4.
Legislative History:   http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=81R&Bill=HB3352
Final Disposition:  Passed with significant amendments.

Bill No.: HB3684
Author: (Riddle, R, A+)
Caption   Relating to the carrying of a handgun by a disabled person.
Description: This bill would allow a disabled CHL to open-carry if the person’s disability “prevents the person from effectively concealing the handgun.”
Companion:  
Position on bill Support.
Status:  Referred to House Public Safety Committee, 3/19/09.
Legislative History: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/Text.aspx?LegSess=81R&Bill=HB3684
Final Disposition:  Died in committee.

Bill No.: HB3766
Author: (Paxton, R, A)
Caption Relating to municipal regulation of the discharge of firearms and certain other weapons.
Description:  This bill would expand the buffer zone for hunting on land inside a city limits.
Companion: SB1742
Position on bill Oppose.
Status:  Left pending in House Public Safety Committee.
Legislative History: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=81R&Bill=HB3766
Final Disposition:  Left pending in committee.

Bill No.:  HB3777
Author:  (Flynn, R, A+)
Caption   Relating to a perpetual license to carry a concealed handgun.
Description: Creates an optional permanent CHL.
Companion:  
Position on bill Support.
Status:  Left pending House Public Safety Committee, 4/15/09.
Legislative History:   http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=81R&Bill=HB3777
Final Disposition:  Left pending in committee.

Bill No.: HB3875
Author: (Phillips, R, A+)
Caption      Relating to certain renewals of a qualified handgun instructor certification.
Description: Allows CHL instructors to renew their instructor certification by taking a DPS renewal class on the Internet.
Companion:  
Position on bill Support.
Status:  Left pending in House Public Safety Committee on 4/15/09.
Legislative History: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=81R&Bill=HB3875
Final Disposition:  Died in Senate; provisions added to HB2730.

Bill No.:  HB3987
Author:  (Merritt, R, A)
Caption   Relating to the administration of certain provisions affecting the licensing of persons to carry a concealed handgun.
Description:   This bill makes numerous changes to the CHL statute that involve the application process and eligibility requirements.
Companion:  
Position on bill  Neutral.
Status:  [color=blue]Scheduled for public hearing in House Public Safety Committee on 4/15/09,  committee action pending.[/color]
Legislative History:  http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=81R&Bill=HB3987
Final Disposition:  Died in House Calendars Committee; some provisions added to HR2730.

Bill No.: HB4037
Author: (Merritt, R, A)
Caption Relating to the confidentiality of information related to certified handgun instructors.
Description: Requires the publishing of CHL instructors telephone numbers and email addresses, but allows instructors to opt out of publication.
Companion:  
Position on bill Support.
Status:  Passed House.
Legislative History: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=81R&Bill=HB4037
Final Disposition:  Died in Senate.

Bill No.: HB4287
Author: (Hunter, R, A)
Caption Relating to the discharge of firearms in certain navigable rivers or streams.
Description:  
Companion:  
Position on bill No position on the “as filed” bill at this time.
Status:  Left pending in House Culture, Recreation & Tourism Committee, 4/21.
Legislative History: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=81R&Bill=HB4287
Final Disposition:  Left pending in committee.

Bill No.: HB4336
Author: (Corte, R, A+)
Caption     Relating to the civil and criminal consequences of engaging in certain conduct creating the offense of firearm smuggling; providing penalties.
Description:  
Companion:  SB2225
Position on bill Neutural.
Status:  Voted favorably from the House Public Safety Committee on 4/27/09.
Legislative History: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=81R&Bill=HB4336
Final Disposition:  Left pending in committee; Companion SB2225 passed.

Bill No.: HB4406
Author: (Taylor, R, A+)
Caption Relating to the application process for a license to carry a concealed handgun.
Description: This bill makes minor ministerial changes to the authorization for information gathering during CHL application processing.
Companion:  
Position on bill Neutral.
Status:  Voted favorably without amendment from the House Public Safety Committee on 4/21/09; in Calendars Committee 4/24
Legislative History: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=81R&Bill=HB4406
Final Disposition:  Died in House Calendars Committee.

Bill No.: HB4456
Author: (Driver, R, A+)
Caption Relating to the definition of a switchblade knife for purposes of the offense of prohibited weapons.
Description: This bill clarifies the definition of switchblade knife and is prompted by the recent appellate court decision that absurdly expanded the definition of a switchblade knife.
Companion:  
Position on bill  Support.
Status:   Voted favorably, as substituted, from the House Criminal Jurisprudence Committee, 4/21.
Legislative History:  http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=81R&Bill=HB4456
Final Disposition:  Passed[/color.


Senate Bills:

Bill No.:  SB94
Author:  (Van de Putte, D, A-)
Caption  Relating to restrictions on the use of a stun gun; providing certain criminal penalties and defenses to prosecution.
Description:    This bill would define stun guns and make them a Prohibited Weapon under TPC 46.05(a).  It would also establish a licensing system to carry a stun gun, or even own one in your home.  License requirements would be substantially the same as for a CHL.
Companion:  
Position on bill  Oppose.
Status:   Referred to Committee:  Criminal Justice.
Legislative History:   http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=81R&Bill=SB94
Final Disposition:  Died in committee.

Bill No.:  SB330
Author:  (Carona, R, A+)
Caption  Relating to the punishment for unlawful carrying of weapons.
Description:  This bill would make violations of TPC §46.02 (UCW) a state jail felony, if the defendant has previously been convicted of violating TPC Chp. 71 dealing with organized crime.
Companion:  
Position on bill  Neutral.
Status:  Referred to committee:  Transportation & Homeland Security.
Legislative History:  http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=81R&Bill=SB330
Final Disposition:  Died in committee.


Bill No.:  SB362
Author:  (Fraser, R, A & Estes, R, A+)
Caption  Relating to requiring a voter to present proof of identification.
Description:  This bill is not listed as a companion to HB47, but both bills allow a CHL to be used as identification for voting.
Companion:  
Position on bill  Neutral.
Status:   Passed the Senate on 3/18/09; received by the House, left pending in Election Committee.
Legislative History:   http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=81R&Bill=SB362
Final Disposition:  Died on House Major Calendar.

Bill No.:  SB651
Author:  (Van de Putte, D, A-)
Caption   Relating to restrictions on the use of a stun gun; providing certain criminal penalties and defenses to prosecution.
Description:  This  is a terrible bill that will lead to much great delays in CHL processing by DPS, due to the tremendous increase in DPS workload for processing of licenses to possess a stun gun.
Companion: HB1164
Position on bill  Oppose.
Status:   Referred to Senate Criminal Justice  Committee.
Legislative History:   http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=81R&Bill=SB651
Final Disposition:  Died in committee.

Bill No.:  SB729
Author:   (Hegar, A+)
Caption   Relating to creating a defense to prosecution for the offense of unlawful carrying of a handgun by a license holder on the premises of certain businesses.
Description:   This bill would establish a defense for a CHL charged with entering a 51% location that had not posted a 51% sign.  This is a very good bill.
Companion:  
Position on bill  Support.
Status:   Passed the Senate.
Legislative History:   http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=81R&Bill=SB729
Final Disposition:  Died in House; companion HB2664 passed.

Bill No.:  SB730
Author:   (Hegar, A+)
Caption  Relating to an employee's transportation and storage of certain firearms or ammunition while on certain property owned or controlled by the employee's employer.
Description:  This bill would authorize employees to have firearms locked in their personal motor vehicles while on an employer's parking lot.  (a/k/a parking lot bill.) This is a very good bill.
Companion: HB1301
Position on bill Support this great bill!
Status:   Passed the Senate as amended; reported favorably from from the Public Safety Committee, as substituted, 5/5.
Legislative History:   http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=81R&Bill=SB730
Final Disposition:  Died on House General Calendar.

Bill No.:  SB838
Author:  (Hinajosa, D, A+)
Caption  Relating to the requirement under certain circumstances that a license holder display their license to carry a concealed handgun.
Description:  This bill repeals the requirement to display your CHL when asked for identification.
Companion: HB410
Position on bill  Support.
Status:   Left Pending in Senate Criminal Justice Committee.
Legislative History:   http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=81R&Bill=SB838
Final Disposition:  Left pending in committee; some provisions added to HB2730.

Bill No.:  SB1065
Author:  (Williams, R, A+)
Caption   Relating to the civil and criminal prosecution of racketeering; providing penalties.
Description:  
Companion: HB1618
Position on bill  Neutral. 
Status:  Reported favorably from the Senate State Affairs Committee 5/1; on Intent Calendar 5/4.
Legislative History:  http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=81R&Bill=SB1065
Final Disposition:  Died in Senate.

Bill No.:  SB1164
Author:  (Wentworth, R, A+)
Caption   Relating to the carrying of concealed handguns on the campuses of institutions of higher education.
Description: ]This is the Senate version of the campus-carry bill.
Companion: HB1893
Position on bill   Support this great bill!
Status: Left pending in the Senate State Affairs Committee, 4/27.
Legislative History:   http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=81R&Bill=SB1164
Final Disposition:  Passed Senate but died in House Calendars Committee.

Bill No.:  SB1188
Author:  (Estes, R, A+)
Caption   Relating to the interstate purchase of certain firearms.
Description:   This bill will prevent the BATFE from incorrectly denying the purchase of a long gun in a state that is not contiguous with Texas.  
Companion:  
Position on bill  Support.
Status: Passed the Senate, 4/23; referred to House Public Safety Committee 5/1
Legislative History:   http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=81R&Bill=SB1188
Final Disposition:  Passed.

Bill No.:  SB1236
Author:  (Seliger, R, A)
Caption  Relating to admonishments given to a person charged with a misdemeanor.
Description:    This bill requires a defendant be notified of the effect of a guilty plea, or a conviction, for family violence on their right to possess firearms and ammo.   This is a good bill.
Companion: HB1644
Position on bill   Support.
Status:  Passed Senate 4/30; received in House 4/30.
Legislative History:   http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=81R&Bill=SB1236
Final Disposition:  Passed.

Bill No.:  SB1424
Author:  (Seliger, R, A)
Caption  Relating to a person's eligibility to possess or carry a concealed handgun or other firearm.
Description:  This bill clarifies that in order for a "felony" conviction (including deferred adjudications) to be disqualifying, it must have been a felony both at the time of the conviction and at the time the person applied for a CHL
Companion:  
Position on bill  Support.
Status:  Passed Senate; Action pending in the House Public Safety Committee, 5/4.
Legislative History:  http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=81R&Bill=SB1424
Final Disposition:  Passed Senate but died in House Calendars Committee; all provisions added to HB2730.

Bill No.:  SB1742
Author:  (Shapiro, R, A)
Caption   Relating to municipal regulation of the discharge of firearms and certain other weapons.
Description:   This bill would expand the buffer zone for hunting on land inside a city limits.
Companion:  HB3766
Position on bill  Neutral.
Status:  Passed the Senate, as amended; referred to House Public Safety Committee, 4/21.
Legislative History:   http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=81R&Bill=SB1742
Final Disposition:  Passed with significant amendments limiting it scope to Collin County and protecting shooting ranges.

Bill No.:  SB1788
Author:  (Wentworth, R, A+)
Caption  Relating to an exemption from the sales tax on handguns, rifles, shotguns, and ammunition.
Description:  
Companion:  
Position on bill  Support.
Status:  Referred to Senate Finance Committee.
Legislative History:   http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=81R&Bill=SB1788
Final Disposition:  Died in committee.

Bill No.:  SB1866
Author:  (Ellis, D, F)
Caption  Relating to the collection, dissemination, and correction of certain judicial determinations for a federal firearm background check.
Description:   This bill would require information that would render a mental patient disqualified from possessing firearms to be provided to the FBI for inclusion in the NICS database.  It would also establish a procedure for a patient to have his/her name removed from the NICS database.
Companion: HB3352
Position on bill  This is a bad bill as written; amendment possible/probably.
Status:  Referred to Senate Criminal Justice Committee.
Legislative History:   http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=81R&Bill=SB1866
Final Disposition:  Died in committee; companion SB3352 passed.

Bill No.:  SB1893
Author:   (Gallegos, D)
Caption   Relating to the authority of certain counties to enact noise regulations; providing a criminal penalty.
Description:   This is yet another very bad county noise regulation bill.
Companion:  
Position on bill   Oppose this bill!!!
Status:  Referred to Senate Intergovernmental Relations Committee.
Legislative History:   http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=81R&Bill=SB1893
Final Disposition:  Died in committee.

Bill No.: SB2225
Author: (Carona, R, A+)
Caption Relating to the civil and criminal consequences of engaging in certain conduct involving the possession or transfer of a firearm and to creating the offense of firearm smuggling; providing penalties.
Description:  
Companion: HB4336
Position on bill  Very bad bill as written.
Status:  Passed Senate, 4/23; referred to House Criminal Jurisprudence Committee.
Legislative History: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=81R&Bill=SB2225
Final Disposition:  Passed.

Bill No.: SB2345
Author: (Uresti)
Caption Relating to county regulation of sound levels; providing a criminal penalty.
Description: This is another county noise regulation ordnance, but it is much narrower than other filed this session.  It allows regulation of noise only during the hours of 10:00pm until 6:00am.
Companion: HB760
Position on bill Neutral.
Status:  Referred to Senate Intergovernmental Relations Committee.
Legislative History: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=81R&Bill=SB2345
Final Disposition:  Died in committee.

Bill No.: SB2411
Author: (Deuell, R, A+)
Caption Relating to the definition of a switchblade knife for purposes of the offense of prohibited weapons.
Description: This is the Senate version of the bill to clarify and limit the definition of a switchblade knife.
Companion: HB4456
Position on bill Support.
Status:  Left pending in the Senate Criminal Justice Committee.
Legislative History: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=81R&Bill=SB2411
Final Disposition:  Left pending in committee; companion HB4456 passed.

Bill No.: SB2449
Author: (Wentworth, R, A+)
Caption Relating to the administration of certain provisions affecting the licensing of persons to carry a concealed handgun.
Description:  This bill makes numerous changes to the CHL statute that involve the application process and eligibility requirements.
Companion:
Position on bill
Status:  Referred to Senate Criminal Justice Committee.
Legislative History: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=81R&Bill=SB2449
Final Disposition:Died in committee; some provisions added to HB2730.

House Joint Resolutions -  a/k/a Constitutional Amendments

Bill No.:  HJR20
Author:  
Caption  Proposing a constitutional amendment relating to the right to hunt and fish.
Description:  
Position on bill  Support.
Status:  Left pending in House Culture, Recreation & Tourism Committee.
Legislative History:  http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=81R&Bill=HJR20
Final Disposition:  Left pending in committee.

Bill No.:  HJR60
Author:  
Caption   Proposing a constitutional amendment relating to the dedication of the revenue received from the sporting goods sales tax.
Description:  
Position on bill  Neutral.
Status:   Referred to committee:  Ways & Means.
Legislative History:  http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=81R&Bill=HJR60
Final Disposition:   Died in committee.

Bill No.:  HJR66
Author:  
Caption   Memorializing Congress in defense of the Tenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, affirming the right of states to nullify acts of Congress, executive orders, and judicial orders, and asserting that any act, executive order, or judicial order that assumes a power not delegated to the federal government by the U.S. Constitution and which diminishes the liberty of any state or citizen shall constitute a nullification of the Constitution.  
Description:  
Companion:  
Position on bill  Neutral.
Status:  Referred to committee:  State Affairs.
Legislative History:   http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=81R&Bill=HCR66
Final Disposition: Died in committee.