Texas: Senate Passes SB 16, LTC Fee Reduction Bill, by Overwhelming Vote

House Committee Also Advances Companion Measure

On Monday, the Texas Senate voted to pass Senate Bill 16, NRA-backed legislation sponsored by State Sen. Robert Nichols (R-Jacksonville) and Joan Huffman (R-Houston), on a 26-5 vote.  A priority bill of Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick's, SB 16 significantly reduces License to Carry (LTC) fees in the Lone Star State.  At $140, the fee for an original Texas license is among the highest in the nation.  SB 16 would bring the fees down to among the lowest in the country, slashing the cost of an original license by $100 to just $40, and cutting the cost of a renewal license from $70 to $40.  In other words, the annual cost of a five-year LTC would now be just $8 per year.  No law-abiding Texan should be priced out of the ability to exercise his or her right to self-defense. 

Please take a moment to thank the Senators who voted FOR SB 16.   Their contact information can be found here:

On Tuesday morning, the House Committee on Homeland Security & Public Safety reported out House Bill 300, the companion measure to Senate Bill 16 sponsored by State Rep. Phil King (R-Weatherford).  The bill now moves to the House Calendars Committee which will determine if and when the legislation moves to the full House for consideration.  Note: the committee broke for floor session before taking testimony on either HB 375 or HB 1911, the constitutional and permitless carry bills.