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Panel considers allowing retired county and district judges expedited license-to-carry
Summary
The Senate Committee on State Affairs heard House Bill 1506, which would allow retired county and district judges who served at least 48 months on the bench to apply for an expedited license to carry from the Texas Department of Public Safety. The bill drew no public testimony and was left pending.
House Bill 1506 would let a retired county or district judge who served at least 48 months on the bench apply to the Texas Department of Public Safety for an expedited license to carry.
The bill was laid out to the Committee on State Affairs by a sponsor representative and described as “a very simple bill” expanding eligibility for an expedited license. The sponsor explained that under current law accelerated processing applies to judges currently serving on the bench and to retired federal, visiting, or senior judges, but not to retired county and district judges. "HB 15‑06 would allow a retired county or district judge to apply to the Department of Public Safety for an expedited license to carry permit if the retired judge served at least 48 months on the bench," the sponsor said.
Committee leadership opened and then closed public testimony after confirming that no witnesses had registered to speak for or against the measure. The committee did not take a vote; the chair noted the bill was "left pending this time." No amendments or formal actions were recorded on the transcript.
The discussion on the bill in committee was brief and procedural; no budgetary impacts, enforcement questions, or legal authorities beyond current licensing practice were raised on the record. Because no public witnesses testified, the committee provided no further factual record during the hearing.
The bill remains pending before the Committee on State Affairs pending any future action or amendment.
