The bill, H.B. No. 4933, amends Article 18.19(c) of the Code of Criminal Procedure to streamline the process for the return of seized weapons to individuals who have not been prosecuted or convicted for an offense involving those weapons. The key change is that the magistrate must notify the individual in possession of the weapon within 60 days of determining that there will be no prosecution or conviction. Additionally, the magistrate is required to order the return of the weapon within 60 days after the notification, rather than the previous requirement of 61 days after a request from the individual.

The bill also removes several provisions related to the destruction, sale, or forfeiture of the weapon if it is not requested within a specified timeframe. Specifically, it eliminates the previous stipulations that allowed for the destruction or sale of the weapon if not requested within 61 days, as well as the requirement for the law enforcement agency to seek an order for destruction, sale, or forfeiture if the magistrate did not act within the prescribed period. The changes aim to simplify the process and ensure that individuals can reclaim their seized weapons more efficiently. The bill is set to take effect on September 1, 2025.