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HB 2031TEXASSession 89RState Billdead

Did Not Advance

Texas bill prohibits landlords from banning tenant firearms and ammunition, establishing civil penalties up to $10,500

Original title: Relating to the possession, carrying, transporting, or storing of a firearm or firearm ammunition by a tenant on the leased premises; providing a civil penalty.

Last action · May 13, 2025: Committee report sent to CalendarsSponsors: Keresa Richardson and 25 others

Bill progressHistory & official text ↓

Introduced

Committee

Floor Vote

Passed

Law

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What This Bill Proposed

Landlords are prohibited from banning tenants or their guests from lawfully carrying, transporting, or storing firearms and ammunition in rental units, designated parking areas, or common access routes, unless restricted by state or federal law. Violating landlords face civil penalties ranging from $1,000 to $10,500, with enforcement handled by the attorney general or local prosecutors following a written notice and cure period.

Why it matters

Tenants gain the statutory right to possess firearms and ammunition on leased residential properties without lease restrictions, while landlords face financial liability for enforcing prohibitions, with collected penalties funding victim compensation.

Background

The Texas Property Code governs residential tenancies, landlord-tenant relations, and lease agreements across the state. context
The compensation to victims of crime fund provides financial assistance and services to victims of violent crime in Texas. context

Who It Would Have Affected

Groups the bill's text would have affected, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.

Directly affected

tenants

Tenants gain the legal right to lawfully possess, carry, transport, or store firearms and ammunition in their rental units, vehicles, and common access areas without landlord prohibition.

Directly affected

landlords

Landlords are prohibited from banning lawful firearms and ammunition on leased premises and face civil penalties and potential lawsuits if they violate the restriction.

Directly affected

attorney general

The attorney general is tasked with investigating tenant complaints, issuing cure notices, collecting civil penalties, and initiating legal action against non-compliant landlords.

Key Facts

You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a landlord still prohibit firearms if state or federal law prohibits them on the property?

Yes, landlords may prohibit firearms and ammunition if possession is prohibited by state or federal law.

What happens if a landlord violates the firearm possession rules?

Landlords face civil penalties ranging from $1,000 to $1,500 for a first violation, and $10,000 to $10,500 for subsequent violations, after failing to cure the issue within specified timeframes.

Where are collected civil penalties directed?

Civil penalties collected by the attorney general are deposited into the compensation to victims of crime fund.

What else do you want to know?

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Where This Stands

This bill did not become law - Died at adjournment · in House committee.

Procedural history

12 actions

May 13, 2025House
Committee report sent to Calendars
May 13, 2025House
Committee report distributed
May 13, 2025House
Comte report filed with Committee Coordinator
May 7, 2025HouseCommittee
Reported favorably w/o amendment(s)
May 7, 2025House
Considered in public hearing
Apr 30, 2025House
Left pending in committee

Show 6 earlier actions

Apr 30, 2025House
Testimony taken/registration(s) recorded in committee
Apr 30, 2025House
Considered in public hearing
Apr 30, 2025House
Scheduled for public hearing on . . .
Mar 14, 2025HouseCommittee
Referred to Trade, Workforce & Economic Development
Mar 14, 2025HouseIntroduced
Read first time
Jan 23, 2025HouseIntroduced
Filed

Version history

Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.

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