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Friday, May 30, 1997

House Briefs

AUSTIN (AP) - People licensed to carry concealed handguns in other states could find it easier to pack their pistols in Texas under a bill headed to Gov. George W. Bush's office.

People visiting the state could receive a concealed weapon permit without taking the state's firearms safety course if the state they're licensed in doesn't require a course and if they had a background check that meets federal law.

The measure got final approval from the House Thursday. It was meant as a cleanup to Texas' 1995 law allowing people to be licensed to carry concealed handguns.

Among other changes, the bill would prevent prosecution of people for illegally carrying guns into churches unless they were given verbal or written notice that it wasn't allowed.

The bill also would:

- Replace the current "unsound mind" category that disqualifies someone from obtaining a concealed-handgun permit with provisions clarifying specific mental conditions that would disqualify an applicant.

- Allow community supervision and parole officers to carry handguns, if approved by their supervisors and if they receive training.

- Standardize signs that warn against carrying handguns onto property.

- Change the minimum caliber of a concealed handgun from .38 to .32.

- Allow someone found guilty of a crime whose record has been expunged or who has received a pardon from the governor or president to be eligible for a handgun permit.

The concealed gun bill is HB2909.

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AUSTIN (AP) - Texas waters could be safer under a bill to establish new hurdles before teen-agers could drive boats and stiffer penalties for boating violations.

The bill got final approval from the Texas House Thursday and was awaiting Senate approval.

It would prohibit teen-agers from operating boats if they were under 16 unless they had successfully completed boating safety courses and were accompanied by someone at least 18. Currently, anyone 13 and older can operate a boat.

The bill also would:

- Bar teens under 16 from operating jet skis unless they were accompanied by someone at least 18 or were at least 13 and had completed boater education courses.

- Require education courses for boaters found guilty of violating regulations against such things as reckless or negligent behavior.

- Raise from 180 days to 10 years the maximum prison sentence for boaters who don't stop and offer assistance after being involved in wrecks that cause serious bodily injury or death. They also would face $5,000 fines, up from $1,000 under current law.

Texas has more than 600,000 registered boats, representing an estimated 5.3 million boaters, and ranks as the fifth largest boating state in the nation.

The boating safety bill is HB966.

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AUSTIN (AP) - Violent criminals and sex offenders would face nonstop supervision if freed early from prison under a compromise effort approved by the Texas House Thursday.

Gov. George W. Bush and state lawmakers had hoped to retroactively end the so-called mandatory release program for violent and sex offenders. They gave up that effort after the U.S. Supreme Court in a Florida case ruled such a move unconstitutional.

Lawmakers already have ended the early-release law for criminals convicted after September 1996. But thousands of criminals convicted before then remain eligible for the program. It was created in the 1980s to help relieve prison overcrowding.

Under the program, prisoners are required to be released to parole when their actual time served plus good-conduct time credit added up to their original sentence. Sex offenders and violent criminals released under the program would be under constant supervision during their parole under the bill approved by the House.

The Texas House on Thursday voted 143-0 to the compromise worked out by a House-Senate conference committee. It still awaits final Senate approval.

The mandatory release bill is HB2918.

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AUSTIN (AP) - Legislation that would open up the state's welfare system to privatization is headed to the governor for approval.

The state House gave a final approval Thursday to the bill by Sen. Bill Ratliff, R-Mount Pleasant.

The measure would authorize the Health and Human Services Commission - with approval from the governor and Legislative Budget Board - to develop a plan to allow private companies to carry out welfare-related tasks. The LBB includes Lt. Gov. Bob Bullock, House Speaker Pete Laney and other lawmakers.

A special oversight panel of lawmakers would receive information and conduct public hearings around the state as the plan was developed and implemented under provisions added to the bill Tuesday.

In addition, the commission would have a public hearing within 10 days after the release of a request for bids relating to the plan. Federal approval would be sought as needed.

Texas Health and Human Services Commissioner Mike McKinney and other state officials have said privatization could save the state $120 million of the $550 million Texas spends annually to administer welfare programs.

McKinney has said the bill would prevent private companies from making "final" eligibility determinations, from setting policy and from presiding over hearings dealing with welfare matters.

The welfare privatization bill is HB2777. Send a Letter to the Editor about This Story | Start or Join A Discussion about This Story
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