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AN ACT
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relating to the offense of possessing a weapon in a secured area of |
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an airport. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 46.03(c)(3), Penal Code, is amended to |
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read as follows: |
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(3) "Secured area" means an area of an airport |
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terminal building to which access is controlled by the inspection |
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of persons and property under federal law, or an aircraft parking |
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area that is used by common carriers in air transportation but not |
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by general aviation and to which access is controlled under federal |
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law. The term does not include a baggage claim area, a motor |
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vehicle parking area used by passengers, employees, or persons |
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awaiting an arrival, or an area used by the public to pick up or drop |
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off passengers or employees. |
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SECTION 2. Section 46.03(e), Penal Code, is amended to read |
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as follows: |
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(e) It is a defense to prosecution under Subsection (a)(5) |
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that the actor: |
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(1) checked all firearms as baggage in accordance with |
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federal or state law or regulations before entering a secured area; |
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or |
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(2) was authorized by a federal agency or the airport |
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operator to possess a firearm in a secured area. |
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SECTION 3. The change in law made by this Act applies only |
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to an offense committed on or after the effective date of this Act. |
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An offense committed before the effective date of this Act is |
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governed by the law in effect on the date the offense was committed, |
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and the former law is continued in effect for that purpose. For |
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purposes of this section, an offense was committed before the |
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effective date of this Act if any element of the offense occurred |
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before that date. |
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SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2021. |
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______________________________ |
______________________________ |
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President of the Senate |
Speaker of the House |
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I certify that H.B. No. 1920 was passed by the House on April |
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27, 2021, by the following vote: Yeas 134, Nays 12, 1 present, not |
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voting. |
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______________________________ |
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Chief Clerk of the House |
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I certify that H.B. No. 1920 was passed by the Senate on May |
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21, 2021, by the following vote: Yeas 27, Nays 4. |
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______________________________ |
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Secretary of the Senate |
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APPROVED: _____________________ |
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Date |
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_____________________ |
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Governor |