Relating to damages against participants in firearms regulation violations by political subdivisions, and including effective date provisions

This bill relates to damages against participants in firearms regulation violations by political subdivisions. Under current law, if a political subdivision violates the prohibition against firearms regulation, a person adversely affected may file suit in the appropriate court for declaratory and injunctive relief and all damages attributable to the violation. A court is required to award the prevailing party in any such lawsuit reasonable attorney fees and court costs. In addition to such damages, the bill requires the court to assess damages against participants in the violation in the amount of not more than $500 and not less than $100 per day, or if a person knowingly participated in such a violation, in the amount of not more than $2,500 and not less than $1,000 per day. Damages under the bill are paid by the court to the political subdivision in question. Provisions similar to the bill’s requirements apply under current law to open records violations (Code chapter 22).