According to the Legislative Budget Board (LBB), HB 2993 will have no significant fiscal impact on the state. The bill proposes to amend the Texas Penal Code to allow county commissioners who are licensed to carry a handgun to do so in locations where carrying firearms is otherwise prohibited. The primary fiscal consideration is whether this exemption would significantly affect state correctional resources or the court system.

According to the LBB, the bill is not expected to generate a significant increase in criminal cases or affect state correctional populations. This suggests that allowing licensed county commissioners to carry handguns in restricted areas would not meaningfully increase the number of arrests, prosecutions, or incarcerations related to unlawful carrying of weapons. Additionally, the Office of Court Administration (OCA) has indicated that the bill would not create a significant fiscal burden on the court system, as it is unlikely to lead to a substantial rise in litigation or case processing.

Regarding local government impact, the LBB anticipates that any costs related to enforcement, prosecution, supervision, or confinement associated with the bill would also be insignificant. This assessment implies that local law enforcement and judicial systems would not face additional workload or financial strain due to the changes proposed by HB 2993.

In summary, the bill is considered fiscally neutral at both the state and local levels, as existing government infrastructure and resources are sufficient to handle any minor impacts associated with its implementation.

HB 2993, while intended to enhance personal security for county commissioners, raises significant concerns regarding the creation of a special class of public officials who are granted privileges not afforded to the general public. The bill allows licensed county commissioners to carry handguns in restricted areas, aligning their rights with those of other public officials, such as judges and district attorneys. However, this approach conflicts with the principle of equal treatment under the law, as it grants special rights based solely on holding public office. This disparity could erode public trust by suggesting that elected officials deserve enhanced protections compared to ordinary citizens who hold the same handgun license.

While the bill nominally supports individual liberty and personal responsibility by allowing commissioners to protect themselves and by requiring them to hold a valid handgun license, it ultimately undermines these principles by implying that public status justifies special privileges. This selective application of rights contradicts the fundamental belief that individual liberties should be applied universally and not be contingent on one’s position within the government.

Moreover, from a limited government perspective, the bill inappropriately extends special government privileges rather than promoting consistent standards across the public. Rather than correcting an oversight, the bill’s current form broadens the scope of governmental privilege without offering a compelling justification for why county commissioners, specifically, should be exempt from the general handgun restrictions that apply to other licensed carriers.

To better align with core liberty principles, the bill should be amended to extend the same privileges to all licensed handgun carriers. As it stands, HB 2993 risks creating a perception of unequal treatment that contradicts the fundamental idea of fair and equal rights for all citizens. For these reasons, Texas Policy Research recommends that lawmakers vote NO; Amend on HB 2993.

• Individual Liberty: HB 2993 undermines individual liberty by creating a special class of public officials—county commissioners—who are granted the privilege to carry handguns in restricted areas where the general public, even those licensed to carry, are not allowed. This selective granting of rights contradicts the principle that liberty should be universally applied and not contingent upon holding a government position. By giving county commissioners firearm privileges that other citizens do not have, the bill compromises the notion of equal rights under the law.
• Personal Responsibility: Licensing a constitutional right inherently contradicts the idea of personal responsibility. If the right to carry a handgun is grounded in the Second Amendment, then requiring a license implies that the government can permit or deny a fundamental right. HB 2993 perpetuates this contradiction by stipulating that county commissioners must be licensed to carry in restricted areas. Instead of affirming the individual’s inherent right to self-defense, the bill conditions that right on government approval, which runs counter to the principle of natural rights. Rather than encouraging responsible exercise of a right, it implies that public officials have a greater entitlement to that right than the average citizen.
• Free Enterprise: HB 2993 does not directly impact free enterprise, as it deals solely with the rights of public officials rather than private business practices. However, the creation of a special class of carriers could indirectly affect how the public perceives fairness and consistency in government policy. When some individuals receive preferential treatment based on their office, it can erode public trust in how laws are uniformly applied, which can indirectly affect the civic environment that supports free enterprise.
• Private Property Rights: The bill may also indirectly challenge private property rights because it grants county commissioners the ability to carry handguns in places where private property owners might otherwise prohibit firearms. This could lead to tension between public rights and private rules, especially if a commissioner carries a weapon into a location that, under current law, restricts firearms. By giving public officials special carry privileges, the bill might override private property owners’ decisions on firearm policies, which raises concerns about government overreach into private autonomy.
• Limited Government: HB 2993 contradicts the principle of limited government by creating a special class of public officials who are granted rights not available to the general public. This kind of selective exemption is problematic because it expands government privilege rather than promoting equal application of rights. Moreover, the requirement for a carry license for county commissioners continues the problematic practice of licensing a constitutional right, suggesting that the government has the authority to permit or restrict fundamental freedoms. Instead of affirming the Second Amendment as an inherent right, the bill perpetuates the notion that public office justifies additional privileges.