On Tuesday, January 10, the Texas Legislature convened in Austin for its 85th Regular Session. Pre-filing of legislation began in mid-November. Since then, dozens of pro-Second Amendment measures have already been introduced and received bill numbers, including but not limited to:

Senate Bill 16, by Sen. Robert Nichols (R-Jacksonville) & Sen. Joan Huffman (R-Houston) eliminates original and renewal application fees for a License to Carry (LTC). The fee for an original license is $140, and it is one of the highest in the country and has not changed since 1995, despite advances in technology and passage of laws streamlining the license application and issuing process.

Senate Bill 133 by Sen. Brandon Creighton (R-Conroe) establishes a Second Amendment sales tax holiday, exempting firearms and hunting supplies from the state sales tax during the last Saturday and Sunday in August before hunting season starts.

Senate Bill 263 by Rep. Charles Perry (R-Lubbock) removes the minimum caliber requirement for the License to Carry proficiency exam. Currently, individuals seeking a handgun license are required to test with a .32 handgun or larger caliber.

Senate Bill 349 by Sen. Creighton clarifies the definition of “school-sponsored activity” in the Penal Code to avoid the establishment of roving gun-free zones in buildings or areas that are not owned by or under the control of an educational institution.