Texas Bill Seeks To Renew CHL From 4 To 5 Years

This week, the House Law Enforcement Committee approved HB 225, which extends the term of a renewed Concealed Handgun License from 4 to 5 years; HB 318, which establishes confidentiality of records and information on applicants and licensees in Texas` Right-to-Carry law; and HB 322, which reduces CHL fees and lowers the minimum age requirement for a CHL to 18 for military personnel and veterans. We`ll keep you posted as to when the full House will vote on these measures! On February 28, the committee will consider HB 1066 by Representative Glenn Hegar (R-Katy), which allows anyone from another state to apply for a non-resident Texas CHL and amends the state`s reciprocity law to expand the number of states eligible for an agreement with Texas. Please visit www.house.state.tx.us/committees/420 and send an e-mail to committee members urging them to support HB 1066. Also this week, Austin`s Capital Metro Board officially lifted its ban on the possession of handguns by passenger CHLs. They followed similar action taken by the Houston Metro Board last month to finally comply with the provisions of SB 501, the CHL preemption law passed during the last legislative session.