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.