Texas · 89th Legislature Regular Session

HB1696 Relating to adding a designation on a person's driver's license or commercial driver's license indicating that the person is licensed to carry a handgun.

Direction

Firearms carryAI label

Expands gun access model confidence 90%

Allows handgun license holders to elect a designation on their driver's or commercial driver's license showing they are licensed to carry, which can satisfy the display requirement when carrying, making it easier to carry and prove licensure.

The department shall include on each driver's license issued to a person licensed to carry a handgun under Subchapter H, Chapter 411, Government Code, who makes an election under Section 411.1795, Government Code, a designation that shows the person is licensed under that subchapter.

✓ Quote verified word for word in the bill text

Filed (completed)
Committee (completed)
Passed one chamber
Passed both
Governor
Law

Status: Died (session ended)

Last action: 2025-04-28: Referred to Transportation
Filed: 2024-12-20
Committee: Transportation
Sponsor: Terry Canales D, William Metcalf R, Wesley Virdell R, Ryan Guillen R, Richard Hayes R + 2 cosponsors (2 R)

Read official text (Engrossed)Legislature page LegiScan

Why the model tagged it this way: The bill creates an optional designation on a Texas driver's or commercial driver's license for those licensed to carry a handgun, allowing it to serve as proof of licensure when carrying (in lieu of or in addition to the separate license card). This facilitates easier compliance with carry/display rules without adding restrictions on who may carry or obtain licenses.

Related bills

HB272 Relating to the issuance of a license to carry a handgun to certain federal judges.Expands gun access Filed
HB283 Relating to the applicability to election judges of a prohibition on the carrying of a concealed handgun at a polling place.Expands gun access Filed
HB377 Relating to an expiration date extension for a license to carry a handgun following renewal materials submission.Expands gun access Filed
HB422 Relating to an expiration date extension for a license to carry a handgun following renewal materials submission.Expands gun access Filed

Hearings and calendar

2025-03-19 10:30 · Hearing · House Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans' Affairs Committee Hearing E2.016

Votes

Date	Chamber	Motion	Yea-Nay
2025-04-23	H	Read 2nd time RV#427	146-0	Passed
2025-04-24	H	Read 3rd time RV#472	145-0	Passed

Text versions

Introduced 2024-12-20
Comm Sub 2025-04-04
Engrossed 2025-04-24

History (25 actions)

Date	Chamber	Action
2025-04-28	S	Referred to Transportation
2025-04-28	S	Read first time
2025-04-24	S	Received from the House
2025-04-24	H	Reported engrossed
2025-04-24	H	Record vote RV#472
2025-04-24	H	Passed
2025-04-24	H	Read 3rd time
2025-04-23	H	Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal
2025-04-23	H	Record vote RV#427
2025-04-23	H	Passed to engrossment
2025-04-23	H	Read 2nd time
2025-04-23	H	Placed on General State Calendar
2025-04-17	H	Considered in Calendars
2025-04-04	H	Committee report sent to Calendars
2025-04-04	H	Committee report distributed
2025-04-04	H	Comte report filed with Committee Coordinator
2025-03-26	H	Reported favorably w/o amendment(s)
2025-03-26	H	Considered in public hearing
2025-03-19	H	Left pending in committee
2025-03-19	H	Testimony taken/registration(s) recorded in committee
2025-03-19	H	Considered in public hearing
2025-03-19	H	Scheduled for public hearing on . . .
2025-03-12	H	Referred to Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans' Affairs
2025-03-12	H	Read first time
2024-12-20	H	Filed