Texans and Friends of the Lone Star State,

   Fifty bills that directly or indirectly affect gun rights are in the legislative process this year.  Please access the first link below to review the list and their current status.  I have written my Senate and House representatives and report that (El Paso) Dee Margo responds very quickly and (El Paso) Jose Rodriguez has yet to respond.  It has been only two weeks so far.  In fairness, I will re-post when Senator Rodriguez responds.

Link to - All Texas Gun Legislation for 2011 (82nd Legislature)
http://www.txchia.org/legistex11.htm

Link to - Who is my Texas State Senator (search at the bottom)
http://www.senate.state.tx.us/75r/senate/members.htm#FYI

Link to - Who is my Texas State House Representative
http://www.house.state.tx.us/members/find-your-representative/

I am personally watching the following closely:
   HB145/HB298 – Texas Only production and sale
   HB681/HB954 – Employer parking lot carry
   HB750/HB1167/HB1356/HB2178/SB354 – College Carry
   HB1329 – No fee CHL for Veterans
   HB2756 – Open Carry for CHL licensees
   HB2613 – Doubling the CHL fee

If you can please share your involvement with your representatives.

73,
Texas-HAM
   

   HB 2756 is now out of committee and up for a vote in the House of Representatives.  While Open vs. Concealed can remain a sticky subject with some, any progress is good in my opinion.  Oh, I have added this one to my list of watch items.

As promissed, an update on my Senator... Senator Jose Rodriguez' office has STILL yet to respond.  Maybe he is waiting until (hopefully) these actions get into the Senate.  Maybe I should hunt through the Senate bills and try to get a response on something a bit closer to his seat?

Your opinions matter, especially those with more experience in dealing with your elected officials.  Please let me know if there is another, more productive, approach in your experience.

haskovez,

     I did see HB681 on the House Supplemental Calendar for yesterday, 3 May.  Thanks for the note.  I guess it is still pending available floor time as the status at this time shows as "Laid on the table subject to call."

     I am also tracking HB681's sibling in the form of SB321 that is approved through the Senate, into the House, out of committee  and on the House Supplemental Calendar for today 4 May.

     All of the College Carry Bills in the current legislature are HB681 (purportedly identical to SB321 at origin), HB954, and of course the farthest through the process, SB321.  Not bad to have three legislative actions on the same issue.

Thanks for the update and the help with this string.

IT looks like according to the TSRA that they substituted the Senate version and passed that, I guess Oil & Gas got an exemption from it but it sounds like that was the only exemption (other than teachers I Guess who have to remain unarmed). 

Love the tactic - My Teacher wife will be glad to hear that the education funding is moving ahead.  I guess there is something for both of us in this one.  thanks

In keeping with my initial intent of this string the below is provided to keep you up to date on my representatives' responses

Senator Jose Rodriguez' office has STILL yet to respond.

I guess after this long, they will not respond at all.  I've also watched some of his recent voting activity and am beginning to understand why he is not responding .

I will not waste your time with any additional opinions or random ramblings.

Again sincerest thanks to Representative Dee Margo for a VERY quick response.

I got a letter from Dan Branch yesterday regarding the Range protection bill which he supported and was passed and signed into law.