Bill Text: TX SB691 | 2025-2026 | 89th Legislature | Introduced

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Bill Title: Relating to the registration of firearms; creating a criminal offense; authorizing a fee.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Introduced) 2025-01-02 - Filed [SB691 Detail]

Download: Texas-2025-SB691-Introduced.html

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89R5037 MZM-D
By: Eckhardt S.B. No. 691

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the registration of firearms; creating a criminal
offense; authorizing a fee.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Chapter 411, Government Code, is amended by
adding Subchapter H-1 to read as follows:
SUBCHAPTER H-1. REGISTRATION OF FIREARMS
Sec. 411.221. DEFINITION. In this subchapter, "firearm"
has the meaning assigned by Section 46.01, Penal Code.
Sec. 411.222. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY; ADMINISTRATION. (a)
The commission shall adopt rules necessary to implement this
subchapter.
(b) The department shall:
(1) administer this subchapter and the rules adopted
by the director under this subchapter; and
(2) take action necessary to ensure compliance with
this subchapter.
Sec. 411.223. REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS. (a) This
subchapter applies to a person who:
(1) is a resident of this state and who on or after
January 1, 2026, acquires a firearm for the purpose of possessing
the firearm in this state; or
(2) enters this state on or after January 1, 2026, for
the purpose of residing in this state and who possesses a firearm,
regardless of when the person acquired the firearm.
(b) A person to whom this subchapter applies shall submit an
application for a certificate of registration for a firearm with
the department on a form prescribed by the department that includes
the information described by Subsection (c) not later than the 30th
day after the date the person:
(1) acquires the firearm, if the person is described
by Subsection (a)(1); or
(2) enters this state with the firearm, if the person
is described by Subsection (a)(2).
(c) The application must include:
(1) the owner's:
(A) full name and place and date of birth;
(B) residence and business addresses; and
(C) driver's license number or identification
certificate number issued by the department, or if the owner is a
new resident of this state, information necessary to prove identity
to the satisfaction of the department;
(2) the name of the manufacturer of the firearm;
(3) the model, type of action, caliber or gauge, and
serial number of the firearm; and
(4) the source from which the firearm was obtained,
including the previous owner's name and address.
(d) An application for a certificate of registration must be
accompanied by the required registration fee.
Sec. 411.224. REGISTRATION FEE. The department shall
charge for issuance of a certificate of registration a reasonable
fee in the amount necessary to cover the costs of administering this
subchapter.
Sec. 411.225. CHANGE OF INFORMATION. If the information
provided to the department in connection with a certificate of
registration changes, the certificate holder shall notify the
department in the form and manner prescribed by the department not
later than the 30th day after the date the change occurs.
Sec. 411.226. CRIMINAL OFFENSE. (a) A person commits an
offense if the person fails to register a firearm in violation of
this subchapter.
(b) An offense under Subsection (a) is a Class C
misdemeanor.
SECTION 2. Not later than December 1, 2025:
(1) the public safety director of the Department of
Public Safety of the State of Texas shall adopt the rules necessary
to implement Subchapter H-1, Chapter 411, Government Code, as added
by this Act; and
(2) the department shall create the application form
and the change of information form required by Subchapter H-1,
Chapter 411, Government Code, as added by this Act.
SECTION 3. (a) Except as provided by Subsection (b) of this
section, this Act takes effect September 1, 2025.
(b) Section 411.226, Government Code, as added by this Act,
takes effect January 1, 2026.