Gold & Silver Forum - TSRA Legislative Session Wrap-Up 2009*

http://tsrapac.com/images/title2.gif http://tsrapac.com/images/strapBG.jpg

TSRAPAC Home
Legislation
Donations
Links
TSRA
TSRA Online Store
TSRA Website

Contact Us

horizontal menu provided by f-source.com. All Rights Reserved

The goals and mission of the TSRA Political Acton Committee are implemented through educating elected representatives, the media, and the public about issues relating to the freedoms guaranteed by the Second Amendment. Your donations make it possible to continue this important work.

TSRA Legislative Session Wrap-Up 2009*
June 5, 2009

http://tsrapac.com/images/tsra-bull-1-375.jpg

* Employee Rights: Allow Storage of Legally-Owned Firearms in Private Motor Vehicles Parked in Employer-Owned Parking Lots ~SB 730 by Sen. Hegar (R-Katy) & HB 1301 by Rep. Frost (D-Atlanta)

SB 730 by Hegar passed in the Texas Senate. SB 730 overtook HB 1301 in the process and was picked up by Rep. Frost, who moved the bill thru House Public Safety Committee. Thanks to calls from TSRA members SB 730 went on the House Calendar, May 23rd, but was listed after the Voter-ID bill. The subsequent slow-down to stop Voter-ID by certain House members killed any chance for SB 730 and hundreds of other bills.

Did not Pass

*Campus Personal Protection Act ~ SB 1164 by Sen. Wentworth (R-San Antonio) & HB 1893 by Rep. Driver (R-Garland)

HB 1893 by Driver was set on the House Calendar too late for a House bill to be debated. SB 1164 by Wentworth passed in the Texas Senate, cleared the House Public Safety Committee and just missed being set on the House Calendar. This was the first time this important self defense issue came before the Texas Legislature and while it didn't pass, more than half the Texas House signed on as Co-Authors, a tribute to the hard work by our House and Senate bill sponsors, and a tribute to the calls and letters from TSRA members. Special thanks to Students for Concealed Carry on Campus, a national organization formed after the tragedy at Virginia Tech.

Did not Pass
*Eliminate Notification Requirement & Associated Penalties for CHLs -HB 410 by Rep. Isett (R-Lubbock) & SB 838 by Sen. Hinojosa (D-McAllen)

Stand-a-lone legislation to repeal the requirement for a CHL when carrying their handgun and stopped by Law Enforcement to display their license and repealing the penalty.

This bill failed but language was amended to HB 2730 by Kolkhorst (R-Brenham) the DPS Sunset bill. A CHL is still required to display their license to law enforcement when in possession of their handgun but there is no penalty for failure to do so.

See below (Passed)

* Conforming Change to Texas Law Allowing Interstate Firearms Sales HB 267 by Rep. Bonnen (R-Angleton) & SB 1188 by Sen. Estes (R-Wichita Falls)

The bill harmonizes state and federal law, and allows Texans to purchase rifles and shotguns in non-contiguous states. This passed and has been signed by Governor Perry.

Passed!

* DPS Sunset Bill~HB 2730 by Rep. Kolkhorst (R-Brenham) & Sen. Juan Hinojosa (D-McAllen)

This 207 page omnibus bill dealing with most departments within the Texas Department of Public Safety became a vehicle for change in the last days of session. Below are some of the highlights that should have positive impact on CHL instructors and the licensing process. A step in the right direction toward streamlining.

Passed!

Below is a brief summary of the changes related to Concealed Carry Licensing and Eligibility:
No more TR-100s and no more $5 charge per form. The language was stricken. Instructors will only have to go to Austin to renew their certification every four years, can renew on the Internet in between:

All application materials will be available on the Internet.
Delinquent school loans are no longer disqualifying for a CHL.
Any conviction that was set aside, voided, or any manner invalidated will no longer be a "conviction" for CHL purposes.
In order to be disqualifying for CHL purposes, a "conviction" must be classified as a felony both at the time it was committed and at the time of application for a CHL.
The duty to display your CHL when asked for ID remains, but the penalty for not doing so is repealed.

* All Bad Bills were stopped or neutralized.

*Special Note of Appreciation:

Thank you to the TSRA members who made the calls and wrote the email notes to Texas House Members, Senators, and others. And, who took the time to send messages of encouragement to TSRA lobby staff during session.

Nothing good happens without your involvement!

TSRAPAC
4570 Westgrove Drive, Suite 200
Addison, Texas 75001-3222
8:00 AM to 5:00 PM CST/CDST
Telephone (972) 889-8772
FAX (972) 889-1515 Anytime

Toll Free 866 TXRIFLE or (866) 897-4353

� 2005-2009 by Texas State Rifle Association Political Actions Committee