85R13127 ADM-D
	By: Lucio	S.B. No. 1960

	A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
	AN ACT
	relating to firearm safety awareness; decreasing the application
	and license fee for a license to carry a handgun.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
	SECTION 1.  Section 411.174(a), Government Code, is amended
	to read as follows:
	(a)  An applicant for a license to carry a handgun must
	submit to the director's designee described by Section 411.176:
	(1)  a completed application on a form provided by the
	department that requires only the information listed in Subsection
	(b);
	(2)  one or more photographs of the applicant that meet
	the requirements of the department;
	(3)  a certified copy of the applicant's birth
	certificate or certified proof of age;
	(4)  proof of residency in this state;
	(5)  two complete sets of legible and classifiable
	fingerprints of the applicant taken by a person appropriately
	trained in recording fingerprints who is employed by a law
	enforcement agency or by a private entity designated by a law
	enforcement agency as an entity qualified to take fingerprints of
	an applicant for a license under this subchapter;
	(6)  a nonrefundable application and license fee of $25
	[$140] paid to the department;
	(7)  evidence of handgun proficiency, in the form and
	manner required by the department;
	(8)  an affidavit signed by the applicant stating that
	the applicant:
	(A)  has read and understands each provision of
	this subchapter that creates an offense under the laws of this state
	and each provision of the laws of this state related to use of
	deadly force; and
	(B)  fulfills all the eligibility requirements
	listed under Section 411.172; and
	(9)  a form executed by the applicant that authorizes
	the director to make an inquiry into any noncriminal history
	records that are necessary to determine the applicant's eligibility
	for a license under Section 411.172(a).
	SECTION 2.  Sections 411.185(a) and (b), Government Code,
	are amended to read as follows:
	(a)  To renew a license, a license holder must, on or before
	the date the license expires, submit to the department by mail or,
	in accordance with the procedure adopted under Subsection (f), on
	the Internet:
	(1)  a renewal application on a form provided by the
	department;
	(2)  payment of a nonrefundable renewal fee of $25 [as
	set by the department]; and
	(3)  the informational form described by Subsection (c)
	signed or electronically acknowledged by the applicant.
	(b)  The director by rule shall adopt a renewal application
	form requiring an update of the information on the original
	completed application.  [The director by rule shall set the renewal
	fee in an amount that is sufficient to cover the actual cost to the
	department to:
	[(1)     verify the information contained in the renewal
	application form;
	[(2)     conduct any necessary investigation concerning
	the license holder's continued eligibility to hold a license; and
	[(3)  issue the renewed license.]
	SECTION 3.  Section 411.201(d), Government Code, is amended
	to read as follows:
	(d)  An applicant for a license who is an active or retired
	judicial officer must submit to the department:
	(1)  a completed application, including all required
	affidavits, on a form prescribed by the department;
	(2)  one or more photographs of the applicant that meet
	the requirements of the department;
	(3)  two complete sets of legible and classifiable
	fingerprints of the applicant, including one set taken by a person
	employed by a law enforcement agency who is appropriately trained
	in recording fingerprints;
	(4)  evidence of handgun proficiency, in the form and
	manner required by the department for an applicant under this
	section;
	(5)  a nonrefundable application and license fee of $25
	[set by the department in an amount reasonably designed to cover the
	administrative costs associated with issuance of a license to carry
	a handgun under this subchapter]; and
	(6)  if the applicant is a retired judicial officer, a
	form executed by the applicant that authorizes the department to
	make an inquiry into any noncriminal history records that are
	necessary to determine the applicant's eligibility for a license
	under this subchapter.
	SECTION 4.  Subchapter H, Chapter 411, Government Code, is
	amended by adding Sections 411.210 and 411.211 to read as follows:
	Sec. 411.210.  FIREARM SAFETY AWARENESS PROGRAM. (a) The
	department, in collaboration with the Department of Family and
	Protective Services, shall develop and administer a firearm safety
	awareness program.
	(b)  The program must be designed to encourage firearm safety
	and to improve public awareness on firearm safety topics,
	including:
	(1)  prevention of firearm accidents, including the
	prevention of accidents involving children;
	(2)  identifying mental health crisis and suicide
	prevention; and
	(3)  the safe handling and storage of firearms.
	(c)  The department shall dedicate $5 from each fee collected
	under this subchapter to the program.
	(d)  The department may pay the costs of the program and its
	administration only from:
	(1)  the proceeds of fees collected under this chapter
	and dedicated to the program under this section;
	(2)  gifts, grants, or donations;
	(3)  matching funds; and
	(4)  funds received from the federal government.
	Sec. 411.211.  FIREARM AWARENESS AND SAFETY TASK FORCE. (a)
	The Firearm Awareness and Safety Task Force is created.
	(b)  The members of the task force shall develop
	recommendations to the department on the administration of the
	firearm safety awareness program established by Section 411.210.
	(c)  The task force consists of:
	(1)  two members of the public;
	(2)  two members representing the department;
	(3)  one member representing the Health and Human
	Services Commission;
	(4)  one member representing local law enforcement;
	(5)  one member representing the firearm industry;
	(6)  one member representing a suicide prevention
	organization;
	(7)  one member representing a gun violence prevention
	organization;
	(8)  one member representing a gun advocacy
	organization; and
	(9)  one member representing the Texas Veterans
	Commission.
	(d)  All members of the task force are appointed by the
	governor and do not require confirmation.
	(e)  Chapter 2110 does not apply to the task force.
	SECTION 5.  The change in law made by this Act applies only
	to an application that is made to obtain an original or renewed
	license to carry a handgun and submitted on or after the effective
	date of this Act. An application described by this section that is
	submitted before the effective date of this Act is governed by the
	law in effect when the application was submitted, and the former law
	is continued in effect for that purpose.
	SECTION 6.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2017.