HB 29 (Swanson/Hughes) relating to authorizing the provision of temporary secure storage for weapons at certain public buildings; authorizing fees. HB 29 would authorize state agencies to provide temporary secure storage of weapons in buildings under their control via self-service weapon lockers or other temporary secure weapon storage. HB 29 was sent to the Governor on 5/31.
HB 1069 (Harris/Birdwell) relating to the carrying of a handgun by certain first responders, would establish the right of certain first responders who are handgun license holders to carry a handgun while carrying out their duties, contingent on the first responder obtaining liability insurance and completing applicable training. HB 1069 was sent to the Governor on 5/24.
HB 1500 (Hefner/Creighton) relating to the authority of the governor and certain political subdivisions to regulate firearms, ammunition, knives, air guns, explosives, and combustibles and certain associated businesses during certain disasters and emergencies. HB 1500 prohibits the Governor and local governments from restricting the business or operations of certain firearms or ammunition related businesses during a declared state of disaster. HB 1500 was sent to the Governor on 5/28.
HB 1920 (Capriglione/Springer) relating to the offense of possessing a weapon in a secured area of an airport. HB 1920 clarifies where weapons are prohibited in airports by expanding the definition of “secured area” to include areas by which access is controlled by inspection under federal law or an aircraft parking area used by common carriers. The bill also establishes a defense to prosecution that a person was authorized by a federal agency or the airport operator to possess a firearm in a secured area. HB 1920 was sent to the Governor on 5/26.
HB 1927 (Schaefer/Schwertner) allowing permitless carry of a firearm by those 21 or older. HB 1927 allows for those 21 and older to carry a firearm without a license to carry. Under the bill, business owners would be able to restrict entry to those carrying firearms via oral or written notice. The bill also establishes defenses to prosecution for violating entry prohibitions by mistake. HB 1927 was sent to the Governor on 5/28.
SB 19 (Campbell/Hefner) relating to prohibited contracts with companies that discriminate against the firearm or ammunition industries. SB 19 requires business contracts with the state to include a disclaimer that the private entity does not maintain a policy discriminating against firearms-related businesses. SB 19 was sent to the Governor on 6/1.
SB 20 (Campbell/Hefner) relating to carrying and storing a handgun or handgun ammunition by a hotel guest. SB 20 would prohibit hotels from implementing policies that would prevent guests from carrying firearms directly to and from or storing firearms in their rooms. SB 20 was sent to the Governor on 6/1.
SB 741 (Birdwell/Sanford) relating to the carrying or storage of a handgun by a school marshal. Under SB 741, school boards may adopt regulations allowing school marshal to carry handguns and any regulations must provide that a school marshal may carry a concealed handgun unless the primary duty of the school marshal involves regular, direct contact with students. Otherwise the handgun must be kept in a locked and secured safe on the physical premises of the school. SB 741 was sent to the Governor on 5/27.