Bill Caption

Relating to a concealed handgun license application that is submitted by a peace officer or a member of the state military forces.

Fiscal Notes

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

The bill would amend the Government Code to remove certain requirements for active peace officers who apply for a concealed handgun license, including the submission of fingerprints. The bill would require the Department of Public Safety to adopt rules regarding the information required of an applicant who is a member of the Texas military forces. 

Bill Analysis

This bill would remove the requirement that peace officers who apply for a concealed handgun licence (CHL) submit a complete set of fingerprints with their application as is a standard requirement under law for all other CHL applicants. Under the provisions of this bill, in lieu of fingerprints a peace officer would be able to submit proof of employment as a peace officer in the form of certain credentials and employment verification. 

Vote Recommendation Notes

In general we do not support bills that create special classes of people or allow exemptions to a favored group that are not broadly allowed for everyone. In this case the provisions of the bill are benign since peace officers already have to submit to fingerprinting as a condition of employment in the first place. The practical impact of this bill then is to remove what is essentially a duplicate requirement for a person whom the state already allows to carry firearms in their official capacity anyway. Considering these factors, this bill has no substantive bearing on our liberty principles. We are neutral on HB 2064

Senator Hinojosa is the Senate sponsor of this legislation. The second chamber committee was Senate State Affairs.