87(R) HB 635 - Introduced version - Bill Text
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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the enforcement of certain federal laws regulating |
 
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firearms, firearm accessories, and firearm ammunition within the |
 
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State of Texas. |
 
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             BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
 
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             SECTION  1.    Chapter 1, Penal Code, is amended by adding |
 
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Section 1.10 to read as follows: |
 
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             Sec.  1.10.    ENFORCEMENT OF CERTAIN FEDERAL LAWS REGULATING |
 
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FIREARMS, FIREARM ACCESSORIES, AND FIREARM AMMUNITION.  (a) In |
 
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this section: |
 
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                         (1)    "Firearm" has the meaning assigned by Section |
 
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46.01. |
 
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                         (2)    "Firearm accessory" means an item that is used in |
 
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conjunction with or mounted on a firearm but is not essential to the |
 
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basic function of a firearm. The term includes a detachable firearm |
 
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magazine. |
 
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             (b)    An agency of this state or a political subdivision of |
 
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this state, and a law enforcement officer or other person employed |
 
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by an agency of this state or a political subdivision of this state, |
 
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may not contract with or in any other manner provide assistance to a |
 
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federal agency or official with respect to the enforcement of a |
 
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federal statute, order, rule, or regulation purporting to regulate |
 
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a firearm, a firearm accessory, or firearm ammunition if the |
 
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statute, order, rule, or regulation imposes a prohibition, |
 
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restriction, or other regulation, such as a capacity or size |
 
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limitation or a registration requirement, that does not exist under |
 
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the laws of this state. |
 
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             (c)    Subsection (b) does not apply to a contract or agreement |
 
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to provide assistance in the enforcement of a federal statute, |
 
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order, rule, or regulation in effect on August 31, 2021, that |
 
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pertains to border security. |
 
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             (d)    A political subdivision of this state may not receive |
 
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state grant funds if the political subdivision adopts a rule, |
 
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order, ordinance, or policy under which the political subdivision |
 
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requires the enforcement of any federal statute, order, rule, or |
 
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regulation described by Subsection (b) or, by consistent actions, |
 
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requires the enforcement of any federal statute, order, rule, or |
 
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regulation described by Subsection (b). State grant funds for the |
 
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political subdivision shall be denied for the fiscal year following |
 
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the year in which a final judicial determination in an action |
 
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brought under this section is made that the political subdivision |
 
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has intentionally required the enforcement of any federal statute, |
 
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order, rule, or regulation described by Subsection (b). |
 
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             (e)    Any citizen residing in the jurisdiction of a political |
 
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subdivision of this state may file a complaint with the attorney |
 
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general if the citizen offers evidence to support an allegation |
 
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that the political subdivision has adopted a rule, order, |
 
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ordinance, or policy under which the political subdivision requires |
 
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the enforcement of any federal statute, order, rule, or regulation |
 
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described by Subsection (b) or an allegation that the political |
 
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subdivision, by consistent actions, requires the enforcement of any |
 
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federal statute, order, rule, or regulation described by Subsection |
 
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(b). The citizen must include with the complaint the evidence the |
 
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citizen has that supports the complaint. |
 
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             (f)    If the attorney general determines that a complaint |
 
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filed under Subsection (e) against a political subdivision of this |
 
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state is valid, the attorney general may file a petition for a writ |
 
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of mandamus or apply for other appropriate equitable relief in a |
 
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district court in Travis County or in a county in which the |
 
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principal office of the political subdivision is located to compel |
 
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the political subdivision to comply with Subsection (b).  The |
 
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attorney general may recover reasonable expenses incurred in |
 
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obtaining relief under this subsection, including court costs, |
 
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reasonable attorney's fees, investigative costs, witness fees, and |
 
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deposition costs. |
 
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             (g)    An appeal of a suit brought under Subsection (f) is |
 
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governed by the procedures for accelerated appeals in civil cases |
 
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under the Texas Rules of Appellate Procedure.  The appellate court |
 
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shall render its final order or judgment with the least possible |
 
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delay. |
 
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             (h)    The attorney general shall defend any agency of this |
 
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state that the federal government attempts to sue for an action or |
 
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omission consistent with the requirements of this section. |
 
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             SECTION  2.    This Act takes effect immediately if it receives |
 
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a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as |
 
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provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.    If this |
 
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Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this |
 
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Act takes effect September 1, 2021. |