TSRA Supported Bill Eligible for Senate Floor
Texas lawmakers have made the actions of the State Fair of Texas/City of Dallas a priority in the 89th Legislative Session in Texas. TSRA Executive Director John Poole testified on Senate Bill 1065 by Senator Bob Hall (R-Edgewood) earlier this month.
The bill was filed following the actions of the State Fair of Texas in 2024. Just ahead of last year’s season, the State Fair implemented a ban on all firearms, including those carried by License to Carry holders, from the premises. The policy change brought attention to the way the ban was legally accomplished; a loophole in Texas law that allows private entities that lease public property to create a gun-free zone.
“Senate Bill 1065 is designed to close a loophole and allow license-to-carry permit holders to continue to protect themselves and others,” said Poole in his testimony. Following testimony, SB 1065 was reported out of the Senate Committee last week and headed to the Senate. As of tomorrow (April 23, 2025), the bill will be eligible to be heard in the Senate. This means that it may not necessarily be called up tomorrow but will be eligible to be called starting tomorrow. The TSRA Legislative Team will be on hand in case SB 1065 is called.
Additional measures have been taken against the loophole. The companion House Bill, HB 1715, was filed by Representative Briscoe Cain (R-Deer Park). HB 1715 has been referred to the House Committee on State Affairs. We hope this bill will follow the same path as SB 1065 and move to the House floor.
Attorney General Ken Paxton filed a lawsuit against the City of Dallas and the State Fair of Texas last year. Two similar lawsuits were filed last week by the Attorney General’s office against the City of Dallas. On Thursday, a press release from the Attorney General’s office detailed the lawsuits that have been filed to stop the City of Dallas from banning lawful license holders from additional locations; The Majestic Theater and Fair Park’s Music Hall. A non-jury trial is scheduled in June for the State Fair suit and the case remains pending.
Story by Marissa Brinkman
April 22, 2025
