HB 5014 Texas House · 89th Legislature (2025)

Relating to the rights of special forces veterans who hold a license to carry a handgun.

HB 5014 creates a new "SPECIAL FORCES VETERAN" designation for handgun license holders in Texas. It requires applicants to list qualifying military service (12+ consecutive months in specific Army Special Forces roles like 18A detachment commander or 18B weapons sergeant) and provide proof of eligibility. The bill amends license forms to include this designation alongside existing categories like "VETERAN." It directly affects Texas veterans who served in designated Special Forces positions at E5-E9, W1-W5, or O1-O10 pay grades.

Issues: ✓ Veterans

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Apr 2025

Committee Review

May 2025

House Passage

May 2025

Senate Passage

Governor

Introduced Apr 3, 2025 Last action May 16, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduced → Engrossed · 5 edits · May 10, 2025

MODERATE

This bill adds a new designation for 'Special Forces Veterans' on handgun licenses in Texas, creating a specific category for veterans who served in elite military units like Army Special Forces, Navy SEALs, and Marine Recon. The designation requires proof of honorable discharge and military service in specific positions, and it exempts these license holders from certain occupational licensing restrictions that apply to other individuals.

Scope change

The bill expands the scope of handgun license provisions by creating a new special category for Special Forces Veterans, granting them specific exemptions from occupational licensing laws and adding a new designation requirement to their licenses.

ELIGIBILITY

Added a new definition of 'Special Forces Veteran' requiring service in elite military units (Army Special Forces, 75th Ranger Regiment, Navy SEALs, Marine Corps Recon, Air Force Combat Control, etc.) for at least 12 consecutive months.

REQUIREMENT

Added a new license designation 'SPECIAL FORCES VETERAN' that must be included on the license face or reverse side when the veteran requests it and provides proof of eligibility.

EXEMPTIONS

Added exemptions from certain occupational licensing restrictions for Special Forces Veterans who hold a handgun license with the new designation.

TIMELINE

Set implementation timeline with applications not accepted before January 1, 2026, and rules to be adopted by December 1, 2025.

ENFORCEMENT

Modified Penal Code Section 46.15 to include Special Forces Veterans as an additional category of individuals exempt from certain weapon possession restrictions.

Floor votes · House May 10, 2025

How they voted

111–15

Passed · 18 other

Total votes 144

May 10, 2025

D Democratic58

30 Yea 14 Nay 14

51% Yea

R Republican86

81 Yea 1 Nay 4

94% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

May 12, 2025

Introduced

Received from the House

upper

May 10, 2025

Lower · Passed

Passed

lower

May 9, 2025

Lower · Passed

Passed to engrossment as amended

lower

May 9, 2025

Amended

Amendment withdrawn

lower

May 9, 2025

Lower · Passed

Amended

lower

May 5, 2025

Lower · Passed

Committee report sent to Calendars

lower

May 5, 2025

Lower · Passed

Committee report distributed

lower

Apr 30, 2025

Lower · Passed

Reported favorably w/o amendment(s)

lower

Apr 23, 2025

Lower · Passed

Left pending in committee

lower

Apr 23, 2025

Lower · Passed

Testimony taken/registration(s) recorded in committee

lower

Apr 3, 2025

Committee

Referred to Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans' Affairs

lower

Apr 3, 2025

Introduced

Read first time

lower

4 primary · 12 co-sponsors