HB 1128
AN ACT relating to the applicability to election judges of a prohibition
89th Regular Session
Jan 14, 2025 - Jun 2, 2025 • Session ended
Awaiting Committee Assignment
Bill filed, pending referral to House committee
Committee
Not yet assigned
Fiscal Note
Not available
What This Bill Does
Allows licensed election judges, early voting clerks, and deputy early voting clerks to carry a concealed handgun while performing their official duties at polling places, which is currently prohibited. The legislation creates an exemption to existing state law that generally bans firearms at voting locations. The bill takes effect on September 1, 2025, and applies only to offenses committed on or after that date, potentially increasing security options for election workers.
Bill Text
relating to the applicability to election judges of a prohibition on the carrying of a concealed handgun at a polling place. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Section 46.15, Penal Code, is amended by adding Subsection (s) to read as follows: (s) Section 46.03(a)(2) does not apply to a person who carries a concealed handgun if the person: (1) is licensed to carry a handgun under Subchapter H, Chapter 411, Government Code; and (2) is engaged in the performance of the person's (A) an election judge under Chapter 32, Election (B) an early voting clerk or a deputy early voting clerk who is serving as an election judge at an early voting polling place under Chapter 83 or 85, Election Code. 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 was SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.
Bill Sponsors
Legislators who authored or co-sponsored this bill.
Expert Lobbyists for This Bill
These lobbyists specialize in Weapons and related subject areas.
Beverly C. Cornwell
PremiumKy Ash
Galt Graydon
Christopher Hughes
Bill Jones
David Doran Parker
Ashley Michelle Juergens
Brandon Todd Aghamalian
Carley Butler
Drew Deberry
Bill History
Bill filed: AN ACT relating to the applicability to election judges of a prohibition
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