Bill

SB 11

84(R) - 2015
Senate State Affairs
Senate State Affairs
2nd Amendment

Vote Recommendation

Yes
  • Neutral
  • Positive
  • Positive
  • Positive
  • Positive

Author(s)

Brian Birdwell

Co-Author(s)

Paul Bettencourt
Konni Burton
Donna Campbell
Kevin Eltife
Craig Estes
Troy Fraser
Kelly Hancock
Don Huffines
Lois Kolkhorst
Jane Nelson
Robert Nichols
Charles Perry
Charles Schwertner
Kel Seliger
Larry Taylor
Van Taylor

Bill Caption

Relating to the carrying of concealed handguns on the campuses of and certain other locations associated with institutions of higher education.

Fiscal Notes

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

Local  community college districts could experience increased costs related to campus police operations, security programs, and staff training. Adaptation of community college campus facilities to accommodate the storage of handguns could result in new costs for community college districts.

Bill Analysis

This bill will allow concealed handgun license holders to carry concealed handguns on public college campuses by removing the criminal prohibition. Public colleges may not impose administrative bans or sanctions on concealed handgun license holders. Public colleges will have immunity from liability for the actions of concealed handgun license holders. The bill also permits public colleges to ban weapons on the premises of any hospital, preschool, or K-12 institution operated by the college. Concealed handgun license holders are also prohibited from carrying at collegiate sporting events. The bill permits private colleges to restrict concealed carry on their premises and/or establish appropriate regulations. Should S.B. 11 and S.B. 17 both pass as proposed, this bill would prohibit open carry on public college campuses.

Vote Recommendation Notes

05/25/2015 update:

Minor changes were made to this bill that does not affect our vote recommendation. The second chamber sponsor is Representative Fletcher.

First chamber recommendation:

This bill is a step in the right direction towards greater legal protection of 2nd Amendment rights, therefore we support this legislation. The legislation has positive effects on personal responsibility and individual liberty by allowing concealed handgun license holders to exercise their 2nd Amendment rights on campus at public colleges and those private colleges that permit it. There is also a positive effect on property rights, since it respects the property rights of private colleges by permitting them to decide whether or not to allow concealed carry.