Texas Senate Bill 730, authored by Senator Glenn Hegar (R-Katy) and House Bill 1301, authored by Rep. Stephen Frost (D-Atlanta) would allow possession of firearms and ammunition on an employer's parking lot when stored in a private locked vehicle and would protect law abiding employees from termination for this possession. The joint bills would also provide civil immunity to an employer acting within state law. This is the third legislative session for this important self-protection project.
According to a bill analysis statement by Hegar, “Some employers have adopted policies prohibiting the storage of firearms on company property, even those stored in locked vehicles. Such policies rob employees of their rights under the Second Amendment to the United States Constitution and their ability to protect themselves as they travel to and from work.”
“C.S.S.B. 730 prohibits employers from adopting policies that prohibit their employees from storing legal firearms and/or ammunition in their locked vehicles in the employers' parking lot. Employers would retain the ability to prohibit firearms in the office or in company vehicles, and could still bar firearms from their parking lots provided those parking lots are fenced, access to them is controlled, and the employer provides a reasonably close alternative parking area or storage area.”
“Employers are protected from any civil liability for personal injury, death, property damage, or any other damages resulting from or arising out of an occurrence involving a firearm or ammunition transported except in cases of gross negligence. C.S.S.B. 730 does not apply to those places where firearms are not permitted by state or federal law.”
To voice your opinion, please contact the following:
Senate Committee on Criminal Justice (C590)
Clerk: Vanessa Valdez
Phone: (512) 463-0345
Room: SHB 470
Committee Chair: Sen. John Whitmire
P.O. Box 12068, Capitol Station
Austin, TX 78711
(512) 463-0115
(713) 864-8701
Vice Chair: Sen. Kel Seliger
P.O. Box 12068, Capitol Station
Austin, TX 78711
(512) 463-0131
(806) 374-8994
Members:
Sen. John Carona
P.O. Box 12068, Capitol Station
Austin, TX 78711
(512) 463-0116
(214) 378-5751
http://www.senate.state.tx.us/75r/senate/members/dist16/dist16.htm
Sen. Rodney Ellis
P.O. Box 12068, Capitol Station
Austin, TX 78711
(512) 463-0113
(713) 236-0306
Sen. Glenn Hegar [Author]
P.O. Box 12068, Capitol Station
Austin, Texas 78711
(512) 463-0118
(281) 391-8883
Sen. Juan Hinojosa
P.O. Box 12068, Capitol Station
Austin, TX 78711
(512) 463-0120
(956) 972-1841
Sen. Dan Patrick
P.O. Box 12068, Capitol Station
Austin, TX 78711
(512) 463-0107
(713) 464-0282
House Committee on Public Safety (C420)
Clerk: Paul Kamprath
Phone: (512) 463-0133
Room: EXT E2.146
Committee Chair: Rep. Tommy Merritt
Room 1N.12, Capitol Building
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 463-0750
(903) 238-9100
Vice Chair: Rep. Stephen Frost [Author]
Room E2.710, Capitol Extension
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 463-0692
(903) 628-8466
Members:
Rep. Lon Burnam
Room CAP GW.8
P.O. Box 2910
Austin, TX 78768
(512) 463-0740
(817) 924-1997
Rep. Joe Driver
Room 4S.6, Capitol Building
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 463-0574
(972) 276-1556
Rep. Phil King
Room 1N.7, Capitol Building
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 463-0738
(817) 596-4796
Rep. Tryon D. Lewis
Room E2.812, Capitol Extension
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 463-0546
(432)-367-2721
Rep. Barbara Mallory Caraway
Room E2.420, Capitol Extension
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 463-0664
(214) 941-4619
Rep. Eddie Rodriguez
Room E2.718, Capitol Extension
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 463-0674
(512) 463-0674
Rep. Hubert Vo
Room E2.208, Capitol Extension
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 463-0568
(281) 988-0212