An economics professor emeritus from the University of Texas in Austin has resigned. His reason expressed in a resignation letter, a fear that law abiding students with a concealed handgun might shoot him.
The Texas Legislature has passed SB 11, the Campus Carry Bill, and sent the bill on to Governor Greg Abbott for signature. The Senate passed the Conference Committee report on Saturday by a vote of 20-11. The bill cleared the final hurdle with passage in the Texas House by a vote of 98-47. The text of the final version of the bill is attached below.
A police body camera bill passed in the Texas Senate on Thursday by a split vote of 22-8, but faces the Texas State House which has two of its own bills. The bill does not mandate that Texas peace officers use body cams, but mandates uniformity of policies by those using the cameras provided by a grant. The eight Senators that voted against the bill were all Republicans.
Following more than five hours of debate which was interrupted for several points of order discussions and fights over parliamentary procedure, HB 910 passed its initial vote on the floor of the Texas House by a vote of 96-35. The bill will allow Texas who possess a Concealed Handgun License (CHL) to openly carry a handgun in a shoulder or belt holster. Eighteen amendments were offered to the bill by both Republicans and Democrats but only one amendment was passed.
The bill in the Texas House that would allow gun owners with concealed carry licenses to carry concealed (CHL) handguns on public colleges and universities is one step closer to passage and becoming law. The Campus Carry Bill (HB 937) was passed out of the House Homeland Security and Public Safety Committee.
By a vote of 7-2, the Texas House Committee on Homeland Security and Public Safety passed a bill which will allow Texans with concealed carry licenses to openly carry firearms. The bill, HB 910, authored by Chairman Larry Phillips (R-Sherman), will now move to the House Calendars Committee where it will be scheduled to go to the floor for a vote by the entire Texas House.
Legislation to allow open carry by people licensed to carry concealed handguns and the authorization to carry concealed handguns on college campuses moved closer to passage after testimony was heard in a Texas House committee. Homeland Security and Public Safety Chairman Larry Phillips (R-Sherman) held two sessions for public testimony on Tuesday.
A bill that would have Texas opt out of Daylight Savings Time (DST) will have a hearing in the Government Transparency and Operation Committee on Wednesday. If the bill is enacted into law, it will take effect on September 1, 2015 unless it receives a two-thirds majority. If this happens the law would take effect immediately upon being signed by Governor Greg Abbott.
