Bill

HB 1376

84(R) - 2015
House Homeland Security & Public Safety
House Homeland Security & Public Safety

Vote Recommendation

Yes
  • Neutral
  • Neutral
  • Neutral
  • Positive
  • Neutral

Author(s)

Chris Paddie

Bill Caption

Relating to the application of certain concealed handgun license laws to community supervision and corrections department officers and juvenile probation officers.

Fiscal Notes

No significant fiscal implication to the State or units of local government is anticipated.


Bill Analysis

HB 1376 would include juvenile probation officers and supervision officers to be able to apply for an exception to additional handgun proficiency training. This bill would also reduces the fee of a supervision officer to $25 for getting a concealed handgun license or renewal. This bill would also remove duplicate language within the government code related to peace officer identification cards.

Vote Recommendation Notes

This bill would affirm the principle of limited government, therefore we support this legislation. Employing juvenile probation officers and supervision officers is a function of government and those individuals are often exposed to potentially dangerous situations. This ends a discrepancy in which other people such as state correctional officers are eligible for a CHL discount and others such as juvenile probation and supervision officers are not. Since the discount is offered to some members of the corrections arena then it should be offered to others who work in a connected field and in the course of their daily work are in contact potentially dangerous people. 

This legislation does not create a new class of people with special privileges - that was already done when certain correctional officers were given a discount on the CHL fee. This legislation simply broadens the privileged class that already exists and as such moves the needle in the right direction of eventually reducing the fee for everyone. Still, while they are taking up the subject, legislators may wish to consider an amendment to reduce the fee for the general public as well. That would enhance liberty for all Texans and eliminate the disparity inherent in having a privileged class of CHL holders.

The exception to additional handgun training is not problematic because the people who would benefit from this legislation already receive handgun training by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement in order to carry a gun on duty in the course of their normal job.