Monitoring the Session

HB 1234

bill requiring written reasons before handgun license denials

Became law, effective Sep 1, 2025

Verdict: No flags

No flagsInitial review
Rep. Ryan GuillenRHouse 31

Initial review · graded Oct 20, 2026 · Headline, summary and grade are analysis of the bill text, not a finding about any person · How we grade

Caption

relating to certain procedures required for the denial of certain applications for a license to carry a handgun.

Caption from analyzed text · version I.

Summary

DPS names the specific reason first.

The bill requires the Department of Public Safety to give a handgun license applicant written notice of the specific reason before denying an application on a medical advisory board panel's recommendation about the applicant's mental fitness. The applicant gets at least 30 days to send more written materials, which go back to the panel for new written reports before the department decides. It touches applicants for original or renewal handgun carry licenses flagged by a medical panel, and applies to applications submitted on or after September 1, 2025.

Receipt

The receipt

89R-HB1234 · 2024-11-12

SOLD BY

Rep. Ryan GuillenRHouse 31

+ 2 coauthors

ITEM

relating to certain procedures required for the denial of certain applications for a license to carry a handgun.

WHAT IT DOES

DPS names the specific reason first.

The bill requires the Department of Public Safety to give a handgun license applicant written notice of the specific reason before denying an application on a medical advisory board panel's recommendation about the applicant's mental fitness. The applicant gets at least 30 days to send more written materials, which go back to the panel for new written reports before the department decides. It touches applicants for original or renewal handgun carry licenses flagged by a medical panel, and applies to applications submitted on or after September 1, 2025.

CHARGES

[ ] NONE FOUND

TOTAL

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

LBB estimate · fiscal note version F · source

Sources

Fiscal note · version F · May 28, 2025

No first-year general revenue figure available here.

LBB published estimates · flow over the stated periods.

Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

HISTORY

  1. Filed
  2. Read first time
  3. Referred to Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans' Affairs
  4. Scheduled for public hearing on . . .
  5. Considered in public hearing
  6. Testimony taken/registration(s) recorded in committee
  7. Left pending in committee
  8. Considered in public hearing
  9. Reported favorably w/o amendment(s)
  10. Comte report filed with Committee Coordinator
  11. Committee report distributed
  12. Committee report sent to Calendars
  13. Considered in Calendars
  14. Considered in Calendars
  15. Placed on General State Calendar
  16. Read 2nd time
  17. Amended 1-Guillen
  18. Passed to engrossment as amended
  19. Record vote RV#1197
  20. Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal
  21. Read 3rd time
  22. Passed
  23. Record vote RV#1303
  24. Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal
  25. Reported engrossed
  26. Received from the House
  27. Read first time
  28. Referred to State Affairs
  29. Scheduled for public hearing on . . .
  30. Considered in public hearing
  31. Vote taken in committee
  32. Reported favorably w/o amendments
  33. Recommended for local & uncontested calendar
  34. Committee report printed and distributed
  35. Placed on intent calendar
  36. Placed on local & uncontested calendar
  37. Removed from local & uncontested calendar
  38. Rules suspended-Regular order of business
  39. Record vote
  40. Read 2nd time
  41. Amendment(s) offered FA1 Hagenbuch
  42. Amended
  43. Vote recorded in Journal
  44. Passed to 3rd reading as amended
  45. Record vote
  46. Three day rule suspended
  47. Record vote
  48. Read 3rd time
  49. Passed
  50. Record vote
  51. Senate passage as amended reported
  52. Senate Amendments distributed
  53. Senate Amendments Analysis distributed
  54. House concurs in Senate amendment(s)
  55. Record vote RV#4033
  56. Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal
  57. Text of Senate Amendment(s)
  58. House concurs in Senate amendment(s)-reported
  59. Reported enrolled
  60. Signed in the House
  61. Signed in the Senate
  62. Sent to the Governor
  63. Signed by the Governor
  64. Effective on 9/1/25
FILED UNDER

No verified beat found.

SIGNED FOR BY

House · 118 yea · 11 nay

Senate · 25 yea · 6 nay

Sources

House: Final passage · May 2, 2025. Journal. Published stock for this vote. Snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

Senate: Final passage · May 27, 2025. Journal. Published stock for this vote. Snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

All floor motions and other positions below.

No flags

THANK YOU FOR CHECKING THE RECEIPT

CAMPAIGN PAID FOR BY

CAMPAIGN PAID FOR BY

Ryan Guillen

Donors

Frontera Texas PAC$160KTexas Sands PAC$121KAssociated Republicans of Texas Campaign Fund$23K

Not tied to this bill.

Sources

The author's campaign account only. Own money and internal transfers are separate on the member page.

Derived itemized flow · Jul 1, 2024 to Oct 24, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.

Frontera Texas PAC$160,007.97

Frontera Texas PAC

$160,007.97

Cash
$0.00
Paid by others
$160,007.97
Total
$160,007.97
Other filed descriptions $73,500.00mail $40,000.00mailing $19,429.94texting $18,144.37digital $8,211.55printing $722.11

Also funds 3 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Nov 5, 2024 to Oct 24, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Sources

Derived itemized flow · Dec 30, 2025 to Oct 24, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.

Report IDs: 101033369, 101062168, 101070155, 101073001.

Texas Sands PAC$120,875.00

Texas Sands PAC

$120,875.00

Cash
$113,500.00
Paid by others
$7,375.00
Total
$120,875.00
polling $7,375.00

Also funds 121 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Jul 3, 2024 to Oct 24, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Team
Sources

Derived itemized flow · Dec 14, 2024 to Sep 25, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.

Report IDs: 100989191, 101033369, 101062168, 101073001.

Associated Republicans of Texas Campaign Fund$22,795.90

Associated Republicans of Texas Campaign Fund

$22,795.90

Cash
$0.00
Paid by others
$22,795.90
Total
$22,795.90
polling $15,000.00Other filed descriptions $7,352.14texting $443.76

Also funds 20 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Nov 4, 2024 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Team
Sources

Derived itemized flow · Dec 15, 2025 to Sep 10, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.

Report IDs: 101033369, 101070155.

Money

Missing data does not establish zero giving. Display amounts are rounded.

×

Frontera Texas PAC

$160,007.97

Cash
$0.00
Paid by others
$160,007.97
Total
$160,007.97
Other filed descriptions $73,500.00mail $40,000.00mailing $19,429.94texting $18,144.37digital $8,211.55printing $722.11

Also funds 3 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Nov 5, 2024 to Oct 24, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Sources

Derived itemized flow · Dec 30, 2025 to Oct 24, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.

Report IDs: 101033369, 101062168, 101070155, 101073001.

×

Texas Sands PAC

$120,875.00

Cash
$113,500.00
Paid by others
$7,375.00
Total
$120,875.00
polling $7,375.00

Also funds 121 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Jul 3, 2024 to Oct 24, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Team
Sources

Derived itemized flow · Dec 14, 2024 to Sep 25, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.

Report IDs: 100989191, 101033369, 101062168, 101073001.

×

Associated Republicans of Texas Campaign Fund

$22,795.90

Cash
$0.00
Paid by others
$22,795.90
Total
$22,795.90
polling $15,000.00Other filed descriptions $7,352.14texting $443.76

Also funds 20 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Nov 4, 2024 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Team
Sources

Derived itemized flow · Dec 15, 2025 to Sep 10, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.

Report IDs: 101033369, 101070155.

Votes7

House May 29, 2025

Yea
104
Nay
28
Present, not voting
1
Absent
11
Excused
6
Names

Named positions matched to lawmakers. See the journal for unmatched names.

House journal

Sources

Record 4033

Representative Guillen moved to concur in the senate amendments to HB 1234. The motion to concur in the senate amendments to HB 1234 prevailed by (Record 4033): 104 Yeas, 28 Nays, 1 Present, not voting.

Published stock of positions for this vote, except where marked derived.

  • Yea: 104 (published)
  • Nay: 28 (published)
  • Present, not voting: 1 (published)
  • Absent: 11 (derived from named list)
  • Excused: 6 (derived from named list)

House journal. Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

Senate May 27, 2025

Yea
25
Nay
6
Present, not voting
Not printed
Absent
0
Excused
0
Names

Named positions matched to lawmakers. See the journal for unmatched names.

Senate journal

Sources

The bill was read third time and was passed by the following vote: Yeas 25, Nays 6. (Same as previous roll call)

Published stock of positions for this vote, except where marked derived.

  • Yea: 25 (published)
  • Nay: 6 (published)
  • Present, not voting: Not printed
  • Absent: 0 (derived from named list)
  • Excused: 0 (derived from named list)

Senate journal. Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

Senate May 27, 2025

Yea
25
Nay
6
Present, not voting
Not printed
Absent
0
Excused
0
Names

Named positions matched to lawmakers. See the journal for unmatched names.

Senate journal

Sources

Senator Hagenbuch moved that Senate Rule 7.18 and the Constitutional Rule requiring bills to be read on three several days be suspended and that HB 1234 be placed on its third reading and final passage. The motion prevailed by the following vote: Yeas 25, Nays 6.

Published stock of positions for this vote, except where marked derived.

  • Yea: 25 (published)
  • Nay: 6 (published)
  • Present, not voting: Not printed
  • Absent: 0 (derived from named list)
  • Excused: 0 (derived from named list)

Senate journal. Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

Senate May 27, 2025

Yea
25
Nay
6
Present, not voting
Not printed
Absent
0
Excused
0
Names

Named positions matched to lawmakers. See the journal for unmatched names.

Senate journal

Sources

HB 1234 as amended was passed to third reading by the following vote: Yeas 25, Nays 6.

Published stock of positions for this vote, except where marked derived.

  • Yea: 25 (published)
  • Nay: 6 (published)
  • Present, not voting: Not printed
  • Absent: 0 (derived from named list)
  • Excused: 0 (derived from named list)

Senate journal. Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

Senate May 27, 2025

Yea
25
Nay
6
Present, not voting
Not printed
Absent
0
Excused
0
Names

Named positions matched to lawmakers. See the journal for unmatched names.

Senate journal

Sources

Senator Hagenbuch moved to suspend the regular order of business to take up for consideration HB 1234 at this time on its second reading: HB 1234, Relating to certain procedures required for the denial of certain applications for a license to carry a handgun. The motion prevailed by the following vote: Yeas 25, Nays 6.

Published stock of positions for this vote, except where marked derived.

  • Yea: 25 (published)
  • Nay: 6 (published)
  • Present, not voting: Not printed
  • Absent: 0 (derived from named list)
  • Excused: 0 (derived from named list)

Senate journal. Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

House May 2, 2025

Yea
118
Nay
11
Present, not voting
1
Absent
8
Excused
12
Names

Named positions matched to lawmakers. See the journal for unmatched names.

House journal

Sources

Record 1303

HB 1234 was passed by (Record 1303): 118 Yeas, 11 Nays, 1 Present, not voting.

Published stock of positions for this vote, except where marked derived.

  • Yea: 118 (published)
  • Nay: 11 (published)
  • Present, not voting: 1 (published)
  • Absent: 8 (derived from named list)
  • Excused: 12 (derived from named list)

House journal. Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

House May 1, 2025

Yea
130
Nay
12
Present, not voting
2
Absent
2
Excused
4
Names

Named positions matched to lawmakers. See the journal for unmatched names.

House journal

Sources

Record 1197

HB 1234, as amended, was passed to engrossment by (Record 1197): 130 Yeas, 12 Nays, 2 Present, not voting.

Published stock of positions for this vote, except where marked derived.

  • Yea: 130 (published)
  • Nay: 12 (published)
  • Present, not voting: 2 (published)
  • Absent: 2 (derived from named list)
  • Excused: 4 (derived from named list)

House journal. Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

Witnesses10
For
7
Against
0
On
3
Names

For

  • Combined Law Enforcement Associations of Texas (CLEAT)1 registration
  • Self4 registrations
  • Self; Gun Owners of America1 registration
  • Self; Texas Gun Rights1 registration

On

  • Department of State Health Services2 registrations
  • Texas Department of Public Safety1 registration
Sources

10 parsed registrations across the loaded witness lists.

Derived stock of witness registrations. Repeated appearances count separately. Organizations and self-representation appear as printed.

House witness list. Source snapshot 2026-10-20, Central time.

Senate witness list. Source snapshot 2026-10-20, Central time.

Fiscal

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

LBB estimate · fiscal note version F · source

Sources

Fiscal note · version F · May 28, 2025

No first-year general revenue figure available here.

LBB published estimates · flow over the stated periods.

Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

How this was graded

Analysis of text version I by claude-opus-5-5, Oct 20, 2026, against the published rubric.

Sources

Texas House · Filed Nov 12, 2024

06/20/2025 E Effective on 9/1/25

Texas Legislature Online · Introduced · House Committee Report · Engrossed · Senate Committee Report · Enrolled

Data snapshot Oct 26, 2026 at 4:20 AM CDT. Grades, charges, quotes and corrections follow the published record.

Coauthors
Penny Morales ShawDHouse 148 Terry M. WilsonRHouse 20
Sponsors
Brent HagenbuchRSenate 30

House committee · Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans' Affairs · Committee vote 10 aye, 0 nay, 1 absent · Out of committee

Senate committee · State Affairs · Committee vote 10 aye, 0 nay, 1 absent · Out of committee

Subjects

Health--General

Weapons

PUBLIC SAFETY, DEPARTMENT OF

Text

The text as introduced · 416 words

89R1702 EAS-D

By: Guillen
H.B. No. 1234

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to certain procedures required for the denial of certain

applications for a license to carry a handgun.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Subchapter H, Chapter 411, Government Code, is

amended by adding Section 411.1765 to read as follows:

Sec. 411.1765. NOTICE BASED ON MEDICAL ADVISORY BOARD

RECOMMENDATION TO DENY APPLICATION. (a) This section applies only

to a recommendation for a denial of an application for an original

or renewal license to carry a handgun that:

(1) is made to the department by a medical advisory

board panel convened under Section 12.095, Health and Safety Code;

and

(2) relates to an applicant's eligibility for a

license to carry a handgun as described by Section 411.172(a)(7).

(b) The department may not deny an application for the

issuance of an original or renewal license to carry a handgun based

on a recommendation to which this section applies, unless the

department first provides the applicant with:

(1) a written notice that specifically states the

reason underlying the recommendation for denial; and

(2) a period of not less than 30 days in which the

applicant may provide additional written materials to the

department to supplement or clarify the applicant's application

submitted under this subchapter.

(c) The department shall forward any materials received in

the period described by Subsection (b)(2) to the medical advisory

board panel that made the recommendation for denial. After

reviewing the additional written materials, each panel member shall

submit an additional written report to the department stating the

panel member's opinion as to the ability of the applicant to

exercise sound judgment with respect to the proper use and storage

of a handgun.

(d) After the medical advisory board panel submits the

additional written reports under Subsection (c), the department

shall review the application and determine whether to issue an

original or renewal license to carry a handgun or to deny the

application.

SECTION 2. The changes in law made by this Act apply only to

an application for the issuance of an original or renewal license to

carry a handgun submitted on or after the effective date of this

Act. An application submitted before the effective date of this Act

is governed by the law in effect on the date the application was

submitted, and the former law is continued in effect for that

purpose.

SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.