HB284: License Renewal Requirements

[brhalltx]

I stumbled on this today... It looks like the renewal class may be coming back.

https://legiscan.com/TX/bill/HB284/2015

84R10273 ADM-F

By: Springer H.B. No. 284

Substitute the following for H.B. No. 284:

By: Phillips C.S.H.B. No. 284



A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT
relating to the handgun proficiency required to obtain or renew a
concealed handgun license.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 411.188(a), Government Code, is amended
to read as follows:
(a) The director by rule shall establish minimum standards
for handgun proficiency and shall develop a course to teach handgun
proficiency and examinations to measure handgun proficiency. The
course to teach handgun proficiency is required for each person who
seeks to obtain or renew a license and must contain training
sessions divided into two parts. One part of the course must be
classroom instruction and the other part must be range instruction
and an actual demonstration by the applicant of the applicant's
ability to safely and proficiently use a handgun. An applicant must
be able to demonstrate, at a minimum, the degree of proficiency that
is required to effectively operate a handgun of .22 [.32] caliber or
above. The department shall distribute the standards, course
requirements, and examinations on request to any qualified handgun
instructor.
SECTION 2. The change in law made by this Act applies only
to an application to obtain or renew a license to carry a concealed
handgun submitted on or after the effective date of this Act. An
application 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 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2015.

[AJSully421]

This was a retread from last session... and no one bothered to remove the "or renew" part. The purpose of the bill is not to bring back renewal classes... it is to make the minimum caliber .22.

[joe817]

This bill only applies to new applicants to CHL. Renewals not included:

"SECTION 2. The change in law made by this Act applies only
to an application to obtain or renew a license to carry a concealed
handgun submitted on or after the effective date of this Act. An
application 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 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2015."

http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/ ... 00284H.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[brhalltx]

You quoted the same text I posted.. And it still says "application to obtain or renew a license."

[joe817]

You quoted the same text I posted.. And it still says "application to obtain or renew a license."

Yes it does. But you are focusing on the section that applies to new licensees on or after the effective date of the bill, and that's correct. It does not apply to a current license holder(right now) when this new bill is enacted.

I know, I know. I REALLY don't like the way they word those things, but that's the way it is.

[K5GU]

I've noticed similar references to "renewal" in some other bills and even some statutes that are already on the books, as well as some other anomalies, however, whenever I report these to the State Law Library, they respond with a message like, "Thank you for your correspondence. We do not provide legal advice,,please refer to..blah blah blah." So, I'll just let the Austin wizards do their thing and then go home for another year, assuming they're still in office next time!

[K5GU]

You quoted the same text I posted.. And it still says "application to obtain or renew a license."

Yes it does. But you are focusing on the section that applies to new licensees on or after the effective date of the bill, and that's correct. It does not apply to a current license holder(right now) when this new bill is enacted.

I know, I know. I REALLY don't like the way they word those things, but that's the way it is.

It does look like a stale reference to renewal, but if you consider the fact that current CHL holders can still choose to attend a CHL class even if you don't need it to renew. I think some of the folks offering that call it a "refresher" course, and offer either just the classroom part or both classroom and range qualification, and if this bill passes (and I think it will) you could take a little .22 and academically qualify with it! (Note also that drivers who already have a driver's license can also attend refresher driving courses).

[mulfjohn]

So what is the status of this bill and does it really affect current chl holders?

[jmra]

So what is the status of this bill and does it really affect current chl holders?

It will not affect current CHL holders.

[Ruark]

Interesting. But it says that part of the course must consist of "range instruction." I never saw any "range instruction" in a CHL class. We just took a few minutes to do the proficiency demonstration, and that was it. Is this "range instruction" something new?

[K5GU]

Interesting. But it says that part of the course must consist of "range instruction." I never saw any "range instruction" in a CHL class. We just took a few minutes to do the proficiency demonstration, and that was it. Is this "range instruction" something new?

The "range instruction" wording is in 411.188(a) today. HB284 is an amendment to 411.188(a), that simply changes the minimum caliber for the classes to .22 cal. The bill was sent to the House Local and Consent Calendar on April 1, 2015
The only "range instructions" we were given in CHL class applied to where to stand, when to fire, keep fingers off the trigger until ready to fire, what to do when they declare "cease fire!", and don't 'flash' the instructor, meaning if he wants to help you or see if your gun is clear and approaches you, do not point the gun at the instructor. HB284 doesn't change any of that. It changes the minimum handgun caliber down to .22 caliber.