Monitoring the SessionHB 623
Died in committee
THE TEXT
“A person commits an offense if the person knowingly sells, rents,”…
Bill text, introduced version (I)
The caption pitches a ban on 'unlawful' transfers, which suggests some transfers stay lawful. The text makes every transfer or offer by any person an offense, with no definition and no exception for dealers, police, family, or a return to the owner.
DragnetInitial review · graded Oct 20, 2026 · Headline, summary and grade are analysis of the bill text, not a finding about any person · How we grade
relating to creating a criminal offense for the unlawful transfer of a semiautomatic rifle.
Caption from analyzed text · version I.
Caption says “unlawful transfer.” Bill covers every sale, rental or offer, by anyone, no exceptions.
This bill makes it a state jail felony offense to knowingly sell, rent, lease, or otherwise transfer a semiautomatic rifle, or to offer to do so. It touches gun stores, private sellers, rental ranges, and any Texan who hands off or offers to hand off such a rifle, with no exceptions written for anyone. Starting September 1, 2025, every sale, rental, loan, or offer involving a semiautomatic rifle in Texas would be an offense, though simply owning one would not.
Labels: ZOMBIE BILL. Died 2 times: 88R HB 2833 (Died in committee) and this bill (Died in committee). Checked against 88R only.BACK FROM THE DEAD. Same text as a bill filed before that died: 88R HB 2833 (Died in committee). Filed in 2 sessions, counting this one. Checked against 88R only.TRY NO. 2. Filed in 2 sessions: 88R and 89R. Checked against 88R only.CREATES AN OFFENSE. The caption of the graded version (introduced) reads: “relating to creating a criminal offense for the unlawful transfer of a semiautomatic rifle.”QUICK READ: 141 WORDS. The bill as filed runs 141 words, counting the existing law it amends and the text it strikes. The median 89R bill as filed runs 441 words (derived, 8,702 graded bills, snapshot Oct 19, 2026).NEVER GOT A HEARING. Filed Nov 12, 2024 and referred to the House Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans' Affairs committee. No public hearing. The bill died.
89R-HB623 · 2024-11-12
relating to creating a criminal offense for the unlawful transfer of a semiautomatic rifle.
Caption says “unlawful transfer.” Bill covers every sale, rental or offer, by anyone, no exceptions.
This bill makes it a state jail felony offense to knowingly sell, rent, lease, or otherwise transfer a semiautomatic rifle, or to offer to do so. It touches gun stores, private sellers, rental ranges, and any Texan who hands off or offers to hand off such a rifle, with no exceptions written for anyone. Starting September 1, 2025, every sale, rental, loan, or offer involving a semiautomatic rifle in Texas would be an offense, though simply owning one would not.
[x] DRAGNETanalysis confidence 50%
THE TEXT
“A person commits an offense if the person knowingly sells, rents,”…
Bill text, introduced version (I)
The caption pitches a ban on 'unlawful' transfers, which suggests some transfers stay lawful. The text makes every transfer or offer by any person an offense, with no definition and no exception for dealers, police, family, or a return to the owner.
No fiscal note in the loaded record.
No verified beat found.
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CAMPAIGN PAID FOR BY
Not tied to this bill.
The author's campaign account only. Own money and internal transfers are separate on the member page.
Derived itemized flow · Oct 29, 2024 to Oct 19, 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.
$30,000.00
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.
TeamDerived itemized flow · Dec 5, 2024 to Feb 19, 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: 100982635, 101040208.
$25,000.00
Also funds 137 other sitting lawmakers.
Derived recipient stock · Jul 24, 2024 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
TEC account match.
TeamDerived itemized flow · Nov 27, 2024 to Jan 16, 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: 100982635, 101028685, 101035822.
$7,000.00
Also funds 9 other sitting lawmakers.
Derived recipient stock · Oct 15, 2024 to Oct 15, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
Name match, not a verified identity: normalized filed name and state.
TeamDerived itemized flow · on Apr 30, 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: 101057584.
Missing data does not establish zero giving. Display amounts are rounded.
$30,000.00
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.
TeamDerived itemized flow · Dec 5, 2024 to Feb 19, 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: 100982635, 101040208.
$25,000.00
Also funds 137 other sitting lawmakers.
Derived recipient stock · Jul 24, 2024 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
TEC account match.
TeamDerived itemized flow · Nov 27, 2024 to Jan 16, 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: 100982635, 101028685, 101035822.
$7,000.00
Also funds 9 other sitting lawmakers.
Derived recipient stock · Oct 15, 2024 to Oct 15, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
Name match, not a verified identity: normalized filed name and state.
TeamDerived itemized flow · on Apr 30, 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: 101057584.
No floor vote loaded for this bill.
No fiscal note in the loaded record.
Analysis of text version I by claude-opus-5-5, Oct 20, 2026, against the published rubric.
Filed 2 times: 88R and 89R. Checked against 88R only.
by Rep. Reynolds, same lead author · Died in committee · same text
Introduced textLast action, Mar 14, 2023: Referred to Community Safety, Select
Relating to creating a criminal offense for the unlawful transfer of a semiautomatic rifle.
Caption, 88R bill history
Texas House · Filed Nov 12, 2024
03/04/2025 H Referred to Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans' Affairs: Mar 4 2025 3:37PM
Texas Legislature Online · Introduced
Data snapshot Oct 26, 2026 at 4:19 AM CDT. Grades, charges, quotes and corrections follow the published record.
House committee · Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans' Affairs · Final status: Died in committee
Crimes--Miscellaneous
Weapons
The text as introduced · 141 words
89R4534 AJZ-D By: Reynolds H.B. No. 623 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT relating to creating a criminal offense for the unlawful transfer of a semiautomatic rifle. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Chapter 46, Penal Code, is amended by adding Section 46.055 to read as follows: Sec. 46.055. UNLAWFUL TRANSFER OF SEMIAUTOMATIC RIFLE. (a) A person commits an offense if the person knowingly sells, rents, leases, or otherwise transfers, or offers to sell, rent, lease, or otherwise transfer a semiautomatic rifle. (b) An offense under this section is a state jail felony. (c) If conduct that constitutes an offense under this section also constitutes an offense under any other law, the actor may be prosecuted under this section, the other law, or both. SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.