H.B. No. 2993 amends the Texas Penal Code to allow county commissioners to carry handguns in certain locations, provided they are licensed to do so under Subchapter H, Chapter 411, Government Code. The bill modifies Section 46.15(a) by adding a new provision that specifically includes county commissioners among those authorized to carry a handgun, while also deleting the previous provision that allowed only district or county clerks to carry handguns. This change expands the list of individuals exempt from the prohibitions of Sections 46.02 and 46.03 of the Penal Code, which regulate the carrying of firearms.

The bill clarifies that the new law will only apply to offenses committed on or after its effective date of September 1, 2025, ensuring that any offenses occurring prior to this date will be governed by the existing law. This legislative change reflects a broader trend of increasing firearm rights for public officials in Texas, specifically targeting the role of county commissioners in the context of handgun possession.