HB1506

HB1506 adds a retired constitutional-county-court or statutory-county-court judge who served at least 48 months in those courts to the definition of “retired judicial officer” for the special judicial handgun-license process. That expands who can apply through Government Code 411.201; it does not automatically issue a license to every former county official or every retired judge. Final law

The existing process still requires an application, identifying materials, evidence of handgun proficiency and a background investigation for retired judicial officers. The section specifies a $25 nonrefundable application/license fee and eligibility conditions addressing felony and recent misdemeanor convictions, pending specified charges, chemical dependency and mental capacity. HB1506 does not waive those requirements. The special classroom-training treatment written for active judicial officers should not be confused with a blanket training exemption for retirees. Government Code 411.201

The new definition applies only to license applications submitted on or after September 1, 2025, the act’s effective date. Earlier applications remain governed by the law in effect when submitted. The bill changes licensing eligibility; it does not rewrite every separate rule governing where a handgun may be carried.