Amend HB 2909 as follows: (1) In SECTION 24, in amended Section 46.15, Penal Code, (House engrossment, page 10, lines 44-47), strike Subsection (a) and substitute the following: "(a) Sections 46.02 and 46.03 do not apply to: (1) peace officers and neither section prohibits a peace officer from carrying a weapon in this state, regardless of whether the officer is engaged in the actual discharge of the officer's duties while carrying the weapon; (2) parole officers and neither section prohibits an officer from carrying a weapon in this state if the officer is: (A) engaged in the actual discharge of the officer's duties while carrying the weapon; and (B) in compliance with policies and procedures adopted by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice regarding the possession of a weapon by an officer while on duty; or (3) community supervision and corrections department officers appointed or employed under Section 76.004, Government Code, and neither section prohibits an officer from carrying a weapon in this state if the officer is: (A) engaged in the actual discharge of the officer's duties while carrying the weapon; and (B) authorized to carry a weapon under Section 76.0051, Government Code.". (2) Add appropriately numbered SECTIONS to the bill to read as follows and renumber existing SECTIONS accordingly: SECTION __. Chapter 76, Government Code, is amended by adding Section 76.0051 to read as follows: Sec. 76.0051. AUTHORIZATION TO CARRY WEAPON. An officer is authorized to carry a weapon while engaged in the actual discharge of the officer's duties only if: (1) the officer possesses a certificate of firearm proficiency issued by the Commission on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Education under Section 415.038; and (2) the director of the department and the judges participating in the management of the department agree to the authorization. SECTION ___. Subchapter B, Chapter 415, Government Code, is amended by adding Section 415.038 to read as follows: Sec. 415.038. FIREARMS PROFICIENCY; SUPERVISION OFFICERS. (a) The commission and the Texas Department of Criminal Justice shall adopt a memorandum of understanding that establishes their respective responsibilities in developing a basic training program in the use of firearms by community supervision and corrections department officers and parole officers. The memorandum of understanding must establish a program that provides instruction in: (1) legal limitations on the use of firearms and on the powers and authority of officers; (2) range firing and procedure, and firearms safety and maintenance; and (3) other topics determined by the commission and the division to be necessary for the responsible use of firearms by officers. (b) The commission and the department by rule shall adopt the memorandum of understanding establishing the basic training program. (c) The commission shall administer the training program and shall issue a certificate of firearms proficiency to each community supervision and corrections department officer or parole officer the commission determines has successfully completed the program described by Subsection (a). (d) The commission may establish reasonable and necessary fees for the administration of this section. SECTION ___. The Commission on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Education and the Texas Department of Criminal Justice shall adopt the memorandum of understanding required by Section 415.038, Government Code, as added by this Act, not later than January 1, 1998.