88(R) HB 4639 - House Committee Report version

Relating to unlawfully carrying a handgun in a motor vehicle or watercraft.

	88R24065 JSC-F

	By: Thimesch, Frazier, A. Johnson of Harris	H.B. No. 4639

	Substitute the following for H.B. No. 4639:

	By: Burrows	C.S.H.B. No. 4639



	A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
	AN ACT
	relating to unlawfully carrying a handgun in a motor vehicle or
	watercraft.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
	SECTION 1. Section 46.02(a-1), Penal Code, is amended to
	read as follows:
	(a-1) A person commits an offense if the person
	intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly carries a handgun on or
	about his or her person [~~a handgun~~] in a motor vehicle or watercraft
	[~~that is owned by the person or under the person's control~~] at any
	time in which:
	(1) the handgun is in plain view, unless the person is
	21 years of age or older or is licensed to carry a handgun under
	Subchapter H, Chapter 411, Government Code, and the handgun is
	carried in a holster; or
	(2) the person is:
	(A) engaged in criminal activity, other than a
	Class C misdemeanor that is a violation of a law or ordinance
	regulating traffic or boating; or
	(B) prohibited by law from possessing a firearm.
	SECTION 2. The change in law made by this Act applies only
	to an offense committed on or after the effective date of this
	Act. An offense committed before the effective date of this Act is
	governed by the law in effect on the date the offense was committed,
	and the former law is continued in effect for that purpose. For
	purposes of this section, an offense was committed before the
	effective date of this Act if any element of the offense occurred
	before that date.
	SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.

88(R) HB 4639 - House Committee Report version - Bill Text