The department must let a person enter the Capitol and Capitol Extension if the person gets a Capitol access pass and shows it to the proper law enforcement official.
Sec. 411.0625. PASS FOR EXPEDITED ACCESS TO CAPITOL. (a) The department shall allow a person to enter the Capitol and the Capitol Extension, including any public space in the Capitol or Capitol Extension, in the same manner as the department allows entry to a person who presents a license to carry a handgun under Subchapter H if the person: (1) obtains from the department a Capitol access pass; and (2) presents the pass to the appropriate law enforcement official when entering the building or a space within the building. (b) To be eligible for a Capitol access pass, a person must meet the eligibility requirements applicable to a license to carry a handgun under Subchapter H, other than requirements regarding evidence of handgun proficiency. (c) The department shall adopt rules to establish a procedure by which a resident of the state may apply for and be issued a Capitol access pass. Rules adopted under this section must include provisions for eligibility, application, approval, issuance, and renewal that: (1) require the department to conduct the same background check on an applicant for a Capitol access pass that is conducted on an applicant for a license to carry a handgun under Subchapter H; (2) enable the department to conduct the background check described by Subdivision (1); and (3) establish application and renewal fees in amounts sufficient to cover the cost of administering this section, not to exceed the amounts of similar fees required under Section 411.174 for a license to carry a handgun. Added by Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 205 (H.B. 2131), Sec. 1, eff. May 30, 2011. Amended by: Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 437 (H.B. 910), Sec. 15, eff. January 1, 2016.