No surprise... This bill was sponsored by none other than State Rep. Suzanna Gratia Hupp
Bill Analysis
HBA-CMT H.B. 2353 77(R) BILL ANALYSIS
Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 2353
By: Hupp
Public Safety
3/13/2001
Introduced
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
Under current law, a person commits an offense if the person intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly possesses a firearm on the physical premises of a school or educational institution, any grounds or building on which an activity sponsored by a school or educational institution is being conducted, or a passenger transportation vehicle of a school or educational institution. In light of recent school shootings, school districts have been searching for ways to ensure the safety of students and school personnel. Many schools have installed metal detectors and hired armed security guards to prevent such tragedies. However, many rural school districts do not have the resources to purchase metal detectors or hire armed guards. House Bill 2353 authorizes a school principal or superintendent in a county with a population of less than 20,000 who is licensed to carry a concealed handgun to possess a handgun on school premises.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.
ANALYSIS
House Bill 2353 amends the Penal Code to provide that provisions pertaining to school or educational areas where it is unlawful and prohibited for a person to carry a weapon or concealed handgun do not apply to a school principal or superintendent in a county with a population of less than 20,000 who is licensed to carry a concealed handgun.
EFFECTIVE DATE
September 1, 2001.
Text of Bill
By Hupp -- H.B. No. 2353
Line and page numbers may not match official copy.
Bill not drafted by TLC or Senate E&E.
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
1-1 AN ACT
1-2 relating to the application to certain persons of the prohibition
1-3 against the carrying of a concealed handgun on the premises of a
1-4 school.
1-5 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
1-6 SECTION 1. Section 46.15, Penal Code, is amended by adding
1-7 Subsection (f) to read as follows:
1-8
(f) Sections 46.03(a)(1) and 46.035(b)(2) do not apply to a
1-9 school principal or superintendent, in a county with a population
1-10 of less than 20,000, who is licensed to carry a concealed handgun
1-11 under the authority of Subchapter H, Chapter 411, Government Code.
1-12 SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2001, and
1-13 applies only to an offense committed on or after that date. An
1-14 offense committed before the effective date of this Act is covered
1-15 by the law in effect when the offense was committed, and the former
1-16 law is continued in effect for that purpose. For purposes of this
1-17 section, an offense was committed before the effective date of this
1-18 Act if any element of the offense occurred before that date.
