By: Schwertner S.B. No. 706
(In the Senate - Filed January 6, 2025; February 7, 2025,
read first time and referred to Committee on State Affairs;
March 5, 2025, reported favorably by the following vote: Yeas 10,
Nays 0, one present not voting; March 5, 2025, sent to printer.)
Click here to see the committee vote
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the recognition of a handgun license issued by another
state.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 411.173(b), Government Code, is amended
to read as follows:
(b) A valid license to carry a handgun issued by any other
state is recognized in this state. The governor shall negotiate [an
agreement] with any other state an agreement that provides for the
reciprocal recognition [issuance] of a license to carry a handgun
if the other state requires such an agreement before recognizing a
license to carry a handgun issued by this state [under which a
license issued by the other state is recognized in this state or
shall issue a proclamation that a license issued by the other state
is recognized in this state if the attorney general of the State of
Texas determines that a background check of each applicant for a
license issued by that state is initiated by state or local
authorities or an agent of the state or local authorities before the
license is issued. For purposes of this subsection, "background
check" means a search of the National Crime Information Center
database and the Interstate Identification Index maintained by the
Federal Bureau of Investigation]. The department shall publish on
its Internet website and annually update a list of states in which a
license to carry a handgun issued by this state is recognized.
SECTION 2. Sections 411.173(c) and (d), Government Code,
are repealed.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
Act takes effect September 1, 2025.
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