HBA-NIK H.B. 2257 76(R) BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 2257 By: Allen Public Safety 3/24/1999 Introduced BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Currently, the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) does not have an established permit process for a license holder or other individual to carry a concealed handgun or any other firearm. H.B. 2257 allows the DPS to adopt a permit process allowing a permit holder to carry firearms in the same manner as is provided to peace officers by the laws of this state. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that rulemaking authority is expressly delegated to the Texas Department of Public Safety in SECTION 1 (Section 411.209, Government Code), of this bill. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Subchapter H, Chapter 411, Government Code, by adding Section 411.209, as follows: Sec. 411.209. SPECIAL FIREARMS PERMIT. (a) Authorizes the Texas Department of Public Safety (department), by rule, to adopt a permit process that authorizes a license holder or other individual to carry a concealed handgun or any other firearm. Requires the department to determine the form of any required applications, qualifications required of applicants, and the imposition of costs on applicants for permits. (b) Provides that the possession of a permit issued by the department provides the permit holder with an exception to the application of laws prohibiting the carrying of firearms in the same manner as is provided to peace officers by the laws of this state. SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 1999. SECTION 3. Emergency clause.