TITLE: Relating to the creation of the open burn pit registry fund and a voluntary contribution to that fund when applying for a handgun license.

SUMMARY: Relating to the creation of the open burn pit registry fund and a voluntary contribution to that fund when applying for a handgun license.

FULL TEXT:
AN ACT relating to the creation of the open burn pit registry fund and a voluntary contribution to that fund when applying for a handgun license. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Subchapter H, Chapter 411, Government Code, is amended by adding Section 411.1742 to read as follows: Sec. 411.1742. VOLUNTARY CONTRIBUTION TO OPEN BURN PIT REGISTRY FUND. (a) When a person applies for an original or renewal license to carry a handgun under this subchapter, the person may make a voluntary contribution in any amount to the open burn pit registry fund established by Section 99.008, Health and Safety Code. (b) The department shall: (1) include space on the first page of each application for an original or renewal license to carry a handgun that allows a person applying for an original or renewal license to carry a handgun to indicate the amount that the person is voluntarily contributing to the fund; and (2) provide an opportunity for the person to contribute to the fund during the application process for an original or renewal license to carry a handgun on the department's Internet website. (c) The department shall send any contribution made under this section to the comptroller for deposit in the state treasury to the credit of the open burn pit registry fund not later than the 14th day of each month. Before sending the money to the fund, the department may deduct money equal to the amount of reasonable expenses for administering this section. SECTION 2. Chapter 99, Health and Safety Code, as added by Chapter 153 (H.B. 306), Acts of the 86th Legislature, Regular Session, 2019, is amended by adding Section 99.008 to read as follows: Sec. 99.008. OPEN BURN PIT REGISTRY FUND. (a) The open burn pit registry fund is a special fund in the state treasury outside the general revenue fund. The fund is composed of: (1) money transferred to the fund at the direction of the legislature; (2) gifts and grants contributed to the fund; (3) the earnings of the fund; and (4) money deposited to the credit of the fund under Section 411.1742, Government Code. (b) Money in the fund may be appropriated only to the department. The department may use the money only for the creation and maintenance of the open burn pit registry established under Section 99.003, except that the department may use the money for any other purpose of the department consistent with legislative appropriation of the money if the department finds that the registry is adequately funded and contributions to the fund exceed the amount necessary for the registry to be adequately funded. SECTION 3. As soon as practicable after the effective date of this Act, the Department of Public Safety shall modify the application form for a license to carry a handgun to satisfy the requirement of Section 411.1742, Government Code, as added by this Act. SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.