The Lower Colorado River Authority board may allow certain land uses and hunting, and some people are exempt from Section 62.081; state agencies may not adopt a rule that blocks licensed handgun carriers from entering or crossing the Authority’s land in the listed circumstances.
Sec. 62.082. TARGET RANGES, MANAGED HUNTS, AND OTHER EXCEPTIONS; RULES. (a) The Board of Directors of the Lower Colorado River Authority may lease river authority land to be used on a nonprofit basis for a target rifle or archery range. (b) A member of the boy scouts or the girl scouts or other nonprofit public service group or organization may possess and shoot a firearm, bow, and crossbow for target or instructional purposes under the supervision of a qualified instructor registered with and approved by the Lower Colorado River Authority on ranges designated by the Lower Colorado River Authority. (c) The Board of Directors of the Lower Colorado River Authority may authorize lawful hunting on Lower Colorado River Authority lands, consistent with sound biological management practices. (d) Section 62.081 does not apply to: (1) an employee of the Lower Colorado River Authority; (2) a person authorized to hunt under Subsection (c); (3) a peace officer as defined by Article 2A.001, Code of Criminal Procedure; or (4) a person who: (A) possesses a handgun and a license issued under Subchapter H, Chapter 411, Government Code, to carry a handgun; or (B) under circumstances in which the person would be justified in the use of deadly force under Chapter 9, Penal Code, shoots a handgun the person is licensed to carry under Subchapter H, Chapter 411, Government Code. (e) A state agency, including the department, the Department of Public Safety, and the Lower Colorado River Authority, may not adopt a rule that prohibits a person who possesses a license issued under Subchapter H, Chapter 411, Government Code, from entering or crossing the land of the Lower Colorado River Authority while: (1) possessing a handgun; or (2) under circumstances in which the person would be justified in the use of deadly force under Chapter 9, Penal Code, shooting a handgun. Acts 1975, 64th Leg., p. 1405, ch. 545, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1975. Amended by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 1256, Sec. 90, eff. Sept. 1, 1997. Amended by: Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 375 (S.B. 535), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2007. Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 375 (S.B. 535), Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2007. Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1302 (H.B. 3142), Sec. 11, eff. June 14, 2013. Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 437 (H.B. 910), Sec. 38, eff. January 1, 2016. Acts 2023, 88th Leg., R.S., Ch. 765 (H.B. 4504), Sec. 2.162, eff. January 1, 2025.