Bill: SB 1547, 84(R) - 2015

Committee

Senate State Affairs

Vote Recommendation

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

Author(s)

Charles Perry

Bill Caption

Relating to reducing certain fees for a license to carry a concealed handgun for county jailers.

Fiscal Notes

No significant fiscal impact.

Local Government Impact

The reduced fee could spare some degree of expense either for county jailers or their employers.

Bill Analysis

SB 1547 would extend the concealed handgun license (CHL) discount currently offered to state level correctional offices to their county counterparts. The discounted price is $25 instead of the normal $70.

Vote Recommendation Notes

This bill would affirm the principle of limited government, therefore we support this legislation. Employing correctional officers is a function of government and they are often exposed to potentially dangerous situations. This ends a discrepancy where state level correctional officers are eligible for a CHL discount and county officers are not. Since the discount is offered to the state level then it should be offered to the county level well. 

This legislation does not create a new class of people with special privileges - that was already done when state correctional officers were given a discount on the CHL fee. This legislation simply broadens the privileged class that already exists which 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.


Source URL (retrieved on 03/28/2024 09:03 AM): http://reports.texasaction.com/bill/84r/sb1547?print_view=true