87(R) HB 1856 - Engrossed version - Bill Text
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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to carrying and storing a firearm or firearm ammunition by |
 
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a hotel guest. |
 
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             BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
 
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             SECTION  1.    The heading to Subchapter C, Chapter 2155, |
 
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Occupations Code, is amended to read as follows: |
 
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SUBCHAPTER C. FIREARMS POLICY [NOTICE] |
 
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             SECTION  2.    Section 2155.101, Occupations Code, is amended |
 
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to read as follows: |
 
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             Sec.  2155.101.    DEFINITION.  In this subchapter, "hotel" |
 
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means a hotel, motel, inn, or similar business entity that offers |
 
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more than 10 rooms to the public for temporary lodging for a fee |
 
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[has the meaning assigned by Section 156.001, Tax Code]. |
 
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             SECTION  3.    Subchapter C, Chapter 2155, Occupations Code, is |
 
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amended by adding Section 2155.1025 to read as follows: |
 
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             Sec.  2155.1025.    FIREARMS POLICY. (a) Unless possession of |
 
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a handgun or other firearm or ammunition on hotel property is |
 
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prohibited by state or federal law, a hotel may not adopt a policy |
 
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prohibiting a hotel guest from: |
 
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                         (1)    carrying or storing a firearm or firearm |
 
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ammunition in the guest's hotel room; |
 
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                         (2)    carrying a firearm or firearm ammunition directly |
 
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en route to or from the hotel or the guest's hotel room; |
 
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                         (3)    carrying a firearm or firearm ammunition directly |
 
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en route to or from the guest's vehicle located on the hotel |
 
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property, including a vehicle in a parking area provided for hotel |
 
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guests; or |
 
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                         (4)    carrying or storing a firearm or firearm |
 
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ammunition in the guest's vehicle located on the hotel property, |
 
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including a vehicle in a parking area provided for hotel guests. |
 
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             (b)    A hotel may adopt a policy requiring a hotel guest |
 
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carrying a firearm or firearm ammunition in a common area on the |
 
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hotel property to: |
 
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                         (1)    carry a handgun in a concealed manner; or |
 
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                         (2)    carry a firearm or ammunition in a case or bag. |
 
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             SECTION  4.    Section 30.05, Penal Code, is amended by adding |
 
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Subsection (f-4) to read as follows: |
 
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             (f-4)    It is a defense to prosecution under this section |
 
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that: |
 
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                         (1)    the conduct occurred on hotel property, and the |
 
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basis on which entry on that property was forbidden is that entry |
 
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with a firearm or firearm ammunition was forbidden; |
 
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                         (2)    the actor is a guest of a hotel, as defined by |
 
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Section 2155.101, Occupations Code; and |
 
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                         (3)    the actor: |
 
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                                     (A)    carries or stores a firearm or firearm |
 
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ammunition in the actor's hotel room; |
 
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                                     (B)    carries a firearm or firearm ammunition |
 
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directly en route to or from the hotel or the actor's hotel room; |
 
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                                     (C)    carries a firearm or firearm ammunition |
 
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directly en route to or from the actor's vehicle located on the |
 
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hotel property, including a vehicle in a parking area provided for |
 
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hotel guests; or |
 
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                                     (D)    carries or stores a firearm or firearm |
 
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ammunition in the actor's vehicle located on the hotel property, |
 
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including a vehicle in a parking area provided for hotel guests. |
 
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             SECTION  5.    Section 30.06, Penal Code, is amended by adding |
 
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Subsection (e-4) to read as follows: |
 
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             (e-4)    It is a defense to prosecution under this section that |
 
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the license holder is a guest of a hotel, as defined by Section |
 
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2155.101, Occupations Code, and the license holder: |
 
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                         (1)    carries or stores a handgun in the license holder's |
 
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hotel room; |
 
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                         (2)    carries a handgun directly en route to or from the |
 
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hotel or the license holder's hotel room; |
 
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                         (3)    carries a handgun directly en route to or from the |
 
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license holder's vehicle located on the hotel property, including a |
 
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vehicle in a parking area provided for hotel guests; or |
 
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                         (4)    carries or stores a handgun in the license holder's |
 
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vehicle located on the hotel property, including a vehicle in a |
 
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parking area provided for hotel guests. |
 
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