87(R) HB 1927 - Enrolled version - Texas

1 ACTrelatingto provisionsgoverningthecarryingof a firearmby apersonwho is 21 yearsof age or olderand not otherwiseprohibitedby stateor federallawfrompossessingthefirearmandto otherprovisionsrelatedto thecarrying,possessing,transporting,orst oringof a firearmor otherweapon; IT ENACTEDBY THE LEGISLATUREOF THE STATEOF shallbe knownas the FirearmCarryActof Legislatureof the Stateof Texasfindsthat:(1)AATheSecondAmendmentof theUnitedStatesConstitutionprotectsan individualrightto keepandbeararms,and to possessa firearmunconnectedwithservicein a militia,andto use thatfirearmfor traditionallylawfulpurposes,suchasself-d efensewithinthe home;(2)AASection23,ArticleI, of theTexasConstitutionsecuresfor Texascitizensthe rightto keepand beararms;(3)AApersonswhoarecurrentlyproh ibitedfrompossessingfirearmsunderstatean d federallaw willnot gaintherightto possessor carrya firearmunderthislegislation;and(4)AApers onswhoarecurrentlyprohibitedfrompossessi nga firearminclude:personsconvictedof a felonyasdescribedby the provisionsof ,PenalCode,personsconvictedof ,Penal1234567891011121314151617181920212 223241 Code,punishableas a ClassA misdemeanorand involvinga memberoftheperson s familyor household,certainpersonswhoarethesubject of a (c),PenalCode,and personsmeetingany of the criterialistedin 18 (g),includingpersonsadjudicatedto be ,Codeof CriminalProcedure,isamendedby addingSubsection(h) to readas follows:(h)(1)AAA peaceofficerwho is actingin the lawfuldischargeof the officer s officialdutiesmay disarma personat any timetheofficerreasonablybelievesit is necessaryfor the protectionoftheperson,officer,or thepersonbeforedischargingthepersonfromt he sceneif the officerdeterminesthatthe personisnot a threatto the officer,person,or anotherindividualand ifthe personhas not committeda violationthatresultsin the arrestof the person.

2 (2)AAA peaceofficerwhois actingin thelawfuldischargeof the officer s officialdutiesmay temporarilydisarmapersonwhenthe personentersa nonpublic,secureportionof a lawenforcementfacility,if the law enforcementagencyprovidesa gunlockeror othersecureareawherethe peaceofficercan securetheperson s peaceofficershallsecurethe handgunin thelockeror othersecureareaandshallreturnthehandgunt o thepersonimmediatelyafterthepersonleaves thenonpublic,secureportionof the law enforcementfacility.(3)AAFor purposesof thissubsection,"lawenforcementfacility"a nd"nonpublic,secureportionof a "havethe meaningsassignedby , (a),Codeof CriminalProcedure,isamendedto readas follows:(a)AAA personwhohasbeenplacedundera custodialornoncustodialarrestforcommissi onofeithera felonyormisdemeanoris entitledto haveall recordsand filesrelatingtothe arrestexpungedif:(1)AAthe personis triedfor the offensefor whichthepersonwas arrestedand is:(A)AAacquittedby thetrialcourt,exceptasprovidedby Subsection(c);[or](B)AAconvictedand subsequently:(i)AApardonedfora reasonotherthanthatdescribedby Subparagraph(ii);or(ii)AApardonedor otherwisegrantedreliefon the basisof actualinnocencewithrespectto thatoffense,ifthe applicablepardonor courtorderclearlyindicateson its facethatthe pardonor orderwas grantedor renderedon the basisof theperson s actualinnocence;or(C)AAconvictedof an offensecommittedbeforeSeptember1, 2021, (a),PenalCode,as thatsectionexistedbeforethatdate.

3 Or(2)AAthepersonhasbeenreleasedandthecha rge,ifany,has not resultedin a finalconvictionand is no longerpendingand therewas no court-orderedcommunitysupervisionunderCh apter42A for the offense,unlessthe offenseis a ClassC misdemeanor, :(A)AAregardlessofwhetheranystatuteoflim itationsexistsfortheoffenseandwhetherany limitationsperiodfortheoffensehasexpired ,an indictmentor informationchargingthepersonwiththecommi ssionof a misdemeanoroffensebasedon theperson s arrestor chargingthepersonwiththecommissionof anyfelonyoffensearisingoutof thesametransactionfor whichthe personwas arrested:(i)AAhasnotbeenpresentedagainst thepersonat any timefollowingthe arrest,and:(a)AAat least180dayshaveelapsedfromthe dateof arrestif the arrestfor whichthe expunctionwassoughtwas for an offensepunishableas a ClassC misdemeanorand iftherewas no felonychargearisingout of the sametransactionforwhichthe personwas arrested;(b)AAat leastone yearhas elapsedfromthe dateof arrestif the arrestfor whichthe expunctionwas soughtwas for an offensepunishableas a ClassB or A misdemeanorand iftherewas no felonychargearisingout of the sametransactionforwhichthe personwas arrested;(c)AAat leastthreeyearshaveelapsedfromthe dateof arrestif the arrestfor whichthe expunctionwassoughtwas for an offensepunishableas a felonyor if therewas afelonychargearisingoutof thesametransactionforwhichthepersonwas arrested;or(d) anycriminalinvestigationor prosecution,includingan investigationor prosecutionof anotherperson;or(ii)AAif presentedat any timefollowingthearrest,wasdismissedor quashed,andthecourtfindsthattheindictmen tor informationwas dismissedor quashedbecause:(a)AAthepersoncompleteda veteranstreatmentcourtprogramcreatedunde rChapter124,GovernmentCode,or formerlaw,subjectto Subsection(a-3);(b)AAthepersoncompleteda mentalhealthcourtprogramcreatedunderChap ter125,GovernmentCode,orformerlaw,subjec tto Subsection(a-4).

4 (c)AAthepersoncompleteda ,GovernmentCode,otherthana veteranstreatmentcourtprogramcreatedunde rChapter124,GovernmentCode,or formerlaw,or a mentalhealthcourtprogramcreatedunderChap ter125,GovernmentCode,or formerlaw;(d)AAthepresentmenthadbeenmade becauseof mistake,falseinformation,or othersimilarreasonindicatingabsenceof probablecauseat the timeof the dismissaltobelievethe personcommittedthe offense;or(e)AAthe indictmentor informationwasvoid;or(B)AAprosecutionof the personfor the offenseforwhichthepersonwasarrestedis no longerpossiblebecausethelimitationsperio dhas (a), ,Codeof ,is amendedto readas follows:(a)AAA personwhois entitledto expunctionof (a)(1)(A), (a)(1)(B)(i), (a)(1)(C),or (a)(2)or a personwhois eligibleforexpunctionof recordsand (b)may fileanex partepetitionfor expunctionin a districtcourtfor the countyin which:(1)AAthe petitionerwas arrested;or(2)AAthe offensewas allegedto (b),EducationCode,is amendedto readas follows:(b)AAThissectiondoesnotauthorize a personto possess,transport,or storea handgun,a firearm,or ammunitioninviolationof thiscode, [ ],PenalCode,or , Chapter411,GovernmentCode,isamendedby (a)NotlaterthanJanuary31 of eachyear,thedepartmentshallcollectinform ationfortheprecedingcalendaryearrelatedt o the carryingof firearmsby personsin thisstate,including:(1)AAthe numberof personswho appliedfor a licensetocarrya handgununderSubchapterH comparedto the yearlyaveragenumberof peoplewho appliedfor a licensefrom2010through2020; (2)AAanyotherrelevantinformationrelatedt o thecarryingof firearmsby personsin thisstate.

5 (b)AAThe departmentshallidentifythe entitiesthatpossessinformationrequiredby Subsection(a) and requireeachentitytoreportthe informationto the departmentin the mannerprescribedby the department.(c)AANot laterthanFebruary1 of eachyear,the departmentshallprepareand submitto the governor,the lieutenantgovernor,andeachmemberof thelegislaturea reportthatincludestheinformationdescribe dby Subsection(a).(d)AAThissectionexpiresSep tember1, poston the department s Internetwebsitea courseonfirearmsafetyand coursemustbe accessibleto thepublicfreeof (a),(c),and(d),GovernmentCode,are amendedto readas follows:(a)AAThe departmentshallrevokea licenseunderthissectionif the licenseholder:(1)AAwas not entitledto the licenseat the timeit wasissued;(2)AAmadea materialmisrepresentationor failedtodisclosea materialfactin an applicationsubmittedunderthissubchapter; (3)AAsubsequentlybecomesineligiblefora ,unlessthe solebasisfor the ineligibilityis thatthe licenseholderis chargedwiththe commissionof a or ClassB misdemeanoror equivalentoffense,or of an ,PenalCode,or equivalentoffense,or of afelonyunderan informationor indictment;(4)AA[is convictedof an ,PenalCode;[(5)]AAis determinedby the departmentto haveengagedin conductconstitutinga reasonto suspenda (a)afterthe person s licensehas beenpreviouslysuspendedtwicefor the samereason.]

6 Or(5)A[(6)]AAsubmitsanapplicationfeethat isdishonoredor reversedif the applicantfailsto submita cashier scheckor moneyordermadepayableto the"Departmentof PublicSafetyof theStateof Texas "in theamountof thedishonoredorreversedfee,plus$25,withi n30 daysof beingnotifiedby thedepartmentthatthe fee was dishonoredor reversed.(c)AAA licenseholderwhoselicenseis revokedfor a reasonlistedin Subsections(a)(1)-(4)[(a)(1)-(5)]may reapplyas a newapplicantfor the issuanceof a licenseunderthissubchapterafterthe secondanniversaryof the dateof the revocationif the causefor revocationdoesnot existon the dateof the thecauseforrevocationexistson thedateof thesecondanniversaryafterthedateof revocation,thelicenseholdermaynot applyfor a new licenseuntilthe causefor revocationno longerexistsand has not existedfor a periodof two years.(d)AAA licenseholderwhoselicenseis revokedunderSubsection(a)(5)[(a)(6)]may reapplyfor an originalor renewedlicenseat any time,providedthe applicationfee and a $25 is paidby cashier s checkor moneyordermadepayableto the "TexasDepartmentof PublicSafety.

7 " ,GovernmentCode,is amendedtoreadas otherwiselimittherightof a publicor privateemployerto prohibitpersonswho are licensedunderthissubchapterfromcarryinga handgunon thepremisesof thissection,"premises"hasthemeaningassig nedby [ (f)(3)], (a)(3),GovernmentCode,isamendedto readas follows:(3)AA"Premises"hasthemeaningassi gnedby [ ], (a)and(j),GovernmentCode,are amendedto readas follows:(a)AAExceptas providedby Subsection(i),a stateagencyora politicalsubdivisionof thestatemaynottakeanyaction,includingan actionconsistingof theprovisionof noticeby acommunicationdescribedby ,PenalCode,thatstatesor impliesthata licenseholderwho is carryinga handgununderthe authorityof thissubchapteris prohibitedfromenteringor remainingon a premisesor otherplaceownedor leasedby thegovernmentalentityunlesslicenseholder sareprohibitedfromcarryinga handgunon the premisesor otherplaceby [or ],PenalCode,or otherlaw.(j)AAIn thissection,"premises"has the [ ], (a)(1),Healthand SafetyCode,is amendedto readas follows:(1)AA"Licenseholder" [ (f)], (a),Healthand SafetyCode,isamendedto readas follows:(a)AAThissectionappliesto:(1)AAa n amusementpark,as definedby [ ],PenalCode;(2)AAa child-carefacility,as definedby ,HumanResourcesCode;(3)AAa daycampor youthcamp,as definedby ;(4)AAa privateor independentinstitutionof highereducation,as definedby ,EducationCode;(5)AAa restaurant,as definedby ,Business& CommerceCode;(6)AAa sportsvenue,as definedby ,LocalGovernmentCode;(7)AAa youthcenter,as definedby.

8 Or(8)AAsubjectto Subsection(b),anyotherentitythattheexecu tivecommissionerby ruledesignatesas an entitythatwouldbenefitfromthe possessionand administrationof (e-2),HumanResourcesCode,isamendedto readas (e-2)AAThe departmentmay not prohibitthe fosterparentof achildwho residesin the fosterfamily s homefromtransportingthechildin a vehiclewherea handgunis presentif the handgunis inthepossessionandcontrolof thefosterparentandthefosterparentis not otherwiseprohibitedby law fromcarryinga handgun[licensedto carrythehandgununderSubchapterH, Chapter411,GovernmentCode]. (b),LaborCode,is amendedtoreadas follows:(b) employerfromprohibitingan employeewho holdsa licenseto carrya handgununderSubchapterH, Chapter411,GovernmentCode,or whootherwiselawfullypossessesa firearm,frompossessinga firearmtheemployeeis otherwiseauthorizedby law to possesson the premisesof the employer s thissubsection,"premises"has themeaningassignedby [ (f)(3)], (b),LocalGovernmentCode,isamendedto readas follows:(b)AASubsection(a)doesnotaffectt heauthorityamunicipalityhas underanotherlaw to:(1)AArequireresidentsor publicemployeesto be armedforpersonalor nationaldefense,lawenforcement,or anotherlawfulpurpose;(2)AAregulatethedis chargeof firearmsor airgunswithinthelimitsof themunicipality,otherthanat a sportshootingrange;(3)AAexceptas providedby Subsection(b-1), generallyapplicablezoningordinance,landu seregulation,firecode,or businessordinance.

9 (4)AAregulatethe use of firearms,air guns,or knivesin thecaseof an insurrection,riot,or naturaldisasterif themunicipalityfindstheregulationsnecess aryto protectpublichealthand safety;(5)AAregulatethestorageortranspor tationofexplosivesto protectpublichealthandsafety,exceptthat2 5poundsor lessof blackpowderforeachprivateresidenceand50p oundsor lessof blackpowderforeachretaildealerarenotsubj ectto regulation;(6)AAregulatethe carryingof an air gun or [a] firearm,[or air gun by a person]otherthana [personlicensedto carrya]handguncarriedby a personnototherwiseprohibitedby lawfromcarryinga handgun[underSubchapterH, Chapter411,GovernmentCode],at a:(A)AApublicpark;(B)AApublicmeetingof a municipality,county,orothergovernmentalb ody;(C)AApoliticalrally,parade,orofficia lpoliticalmeeting;or(D)AAnonfirearms-rel atedschool,college,orprofessionalathleti cevent;(7)AAregulatethecarryingof a firearmby a personlicensedto carrya handgununderSubchapterH, Chapter411,GovernmentCode,in ,GovernmentCode; (8)AAregulatethehoursof operationof a sportshootingrange,exceptthatthe hoursof operationmay not be morelimitedthantheleastlimitedhoursof operationof anyotherbusinessin themunicipalityotherthana businesspermittedorlicensedto sellor servealcoholicbeveragesforon-premisescon sumption;(9)AAregulatethe carryingof an air gun by a minoron:(A)AApublicproperty;or(B)AApriva tepropertywithoutconsentof thepropertyowner;or(10)AAexceptas providedby Subsection(d-1),regulateor prohibitan employee s carryingor possessionof a firearm,firearmaccessory,or ammunitionin thecourseof theemployee ,PenalCode,is amendedby addingSubsections(c) and (d-3)and amendingSubsections(d) and (f) toreadas follows:(c)AAA personmay providenoticethatfirearmsare prohibitedon the propertyby postinga signat eachentranceto the propertythat:(1)AAincludeslanguagethatis identicaltoorsubstantiallysimilarto the following:"Pursuantto ,PenalCode(criminaltrespass),a personmaynotenterthispropertywitha firearm".

10 (2)AAincludesthe languagedescribedby Subdivision(1)in bothEnglishand Spanish;(3)AAappearsin leastone inchin height;and(4)AAis displayedin a conspicuousmannerclearlyvisibleto the public.(d)AASubjectto Subsection(d-3),an [An]offenseunderthissectionis:(1)AAa ClassB misdemeanor,exceptas providedbySubdivisions(2) and (3);(2)AAa ClassC misdemeanor,exceptas providedbySubdivision(3),if the offenseis committed:(A)AAon agriculturallandandwithin100 feetofthe boundaryof the land;or(B)AAon residentiallandand within100 feetof aprotectedfreshwaterarea;and(3)AAa ClassA misdemeanorif:(A)AAthe offenseis committed:(i)AAin a habitationor a sheltercenter;(ii)AAon a Superfundsite;or(iii)AAon or in a criticalinfrastructurefacility;(B)AAthe offenseis committedon or in property