89R5037 MZM-D     By: Eckhardt S.B. No. 691       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to the registration of firearms; creating a criminal   offense; authorizing a fee.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Chapter 411, Government Code, is amended by   adding Subchapter H-1 to read as follows:   SUBCHAPTER H-1. REGISTRATION OF FIREARMS          Sec. 411.221.  DEFINITION. In this subchapter, "firearm"   has the meaning assigned by Section 46.01, Penal Code.          Sec. 411.222.  RULEMAKING AUTHORITY; ADMINISTRATION. (a)   The commission shall adopt rules necessary to implement this   subchapter.          (b)  The department shall:                (1)  administer this subchapter and the rules adopted   by the director under this subchapter; and                (2)  take action necessary to ensure compliance with   this subchapter.          Sec. 411.223.  REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS. (a) This   subchapter applies to a person who:                (1)  is a resident of this state and who on or after   January 1, 2026, acquires a firearm for the purpose of possessing   the firearm in this state; or                (2)  enters this state on or after January 1, 2026, for   the purpose of residing in this state and who possesses a firearm,   regardless of when the person acquired the firearm.          (b)  A person to whom this subchapter applies shall submit an   application for a certificate of registration for a firearm with   the department on a form prescribed by the department that includes   the information described by Subsection (c) not later than the 30th   day after the date the person:                (1)  acquires the firearm, if the person is described   by Subsection (a)(1); or                (2)  enters this state with the firearm, if the person   is described by Subsection (a)(2).          (c)  The application must include:                (1)  the owner's:                      (A)  full name and place and date of birth;                      (B)  residence and business addresses; and                      (C)  driver's license number or identification   certificate number issued by the department, or if the owner is a   new resident of this state, information necessary to prove identity   to the satisfaction of the department;                (2)  the name of the manufacturer of the firearm;                (3)  the model, type of action, caliber or gauge, and   serial number of the firearm; and                (4)  the source from which the firearm was obtained,   including the previous owner's name and address.          (d)  An application for a certificate of registration must be   accompanied by the required registration fee.          Sec. 411.224.  REGISTRATION FEE. The department shall   charge for issuance of a certificate of registration a reasonable   fee in the amount necessary to cover the costs of administering this   subchapter.          Sec. 411.225.  CHANGE OF INFORMATION. If the information   provided to the department in connection with a certificate of   registration changes, the certificate holder shall notify the   department in the form and manner prescribed by the department not   later than the 30th day after the date the change occurs.          Sec. 411.226.  CRIMINAL OFFENSE. (a) A person commits an   offense if the person fails to register a firearm in violation of   this subchapter.          (b)  An offense under Subsection (a) is a Class C   misdemeanor.          SECTION 2.  Not later than December 1, 2025:                (1)  the public safety director of the Department of   Public Safety of the State of Texas shall adopt the rules necessary   to implement Subchapter H-1, Chapter 411, Government Code, as added   by this Act; and                (2)  the department shall create the application form   and the change of information form required by Subchapter H-1,   Chapter 411, Government Code, as added by this Act.          SECTION 3.  (a) Except as provided by Subsection (b) of this   section, this Act takes effect September 1, 2025.          (b)  Section 411.226, Government Code, as added by this Act,   takes effect January 1, 2026.