House Bill No. 1794 amends Section 46.03(a) of the Penal Code to allow licensed handgun holders to carry concealed handguns on the premises of polling places during elections and early voting, with specific conditions. The bill stipulates that individuals may possess a concealed handgun if they are licensed under Subchapter H, Chapter 411 of the Government Code, and if the polling place is not located in an area where the possession of a concealed handgun is otherwise prohibited by state law. This change introduces new legal language that specifies these conditions for carrying concealed handguns at polling places.

The bill also clarifies that the changes in law will only apply to offenses committed on or after the effective date of the Act, which is set for September 1, 2025. Offenses committed prior to this date will be governed by the law in effect at that time, ensuring that individuals are aware of the legal framework applicable to their actions based on the timing of the offense.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Penal Code 46.03 (Penal Code 46)
House Committee Report: Penal Code 46.03 (Penal Code 46)
Engrossed: Penal Code 46.03 (Penal Code 46)