Bill: HB 485, 83(R) - 2013

Vote Recommendation

Vote Recommendation Economic Freedom Property Rights Personal Responsibility Limited Government Individual Liberty
Neutral Neutral Neutral Neutral Neutral Neutral

Author(s)

Sarah Davis

Bill Caption

Relating to the amount of the fee paid by certain peace officers and veterans of the United States armed forces for a license to carry a concealed handgun.

Fiscal Notes

Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for HB485, Committee Report 1st House, Substituted: a negative impact of ($807,000) through the biennium ending August 31, 2015. The bill would amend the Government Code to reduce the various fees associated with concealed handgun licenses for certain military veterans and licensed peace officers. Specifically, the veteran application fee is reduced by $45 (from $70 to $25); the renewal application fee is reduced by $10 (from $35 to $25); and duplicate or modified license fees are reduced by 50 percent. Under current law, such discharged veterans can apply for an original, duplicate, modified or renewed concealed handgun license at a 50 percent discount from the standard fees. The bill would also allow all individuals licensed as peace officers in Texas to apply under the special condition of active peace officer. Currently, only full-time peace officers qualify for this condition. The active peace officer special condition waives the training and proficiency demonstration, requires a letter from the head of the law enforcement agency, and has a fee of $25. The change would affect part-time and reserve officers, who currently have to meet the standard training requirements and pay the full license fee of $140.

Bill Analysis

Summary: Some parties note that reserve peace officers face similar situations to active duty peace officers. HB seeks to extend fee discounts given to active peace duty officers to honorably discharged veterans and reserve peace officers.

Analysis: In general we support reducing fees charged by government. HB 485 gives reserve peace officers the same discounts as active duty peace officers. However, we do not support creating protected classes or structuring laws to be applied unevenly. HB 485 reduces the concealed handgun fees for military veterans. Instead of only reducing fees for veterans and reserve peace officers, fees should be reduced for everyone. We are neutral on HB 485.


Source URL (retrieved on 03/29/2024 07:03 AM): http://reports.texasaction.com/bill/83r/hb485?print_view=true