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Committee advances bill allowing local school boards to offer DNR-certified hunter-safety instruction for grades 6–12
Summary
House Bill 451 would authorize, not require, local boards of education to provide hunter-safety instruction for grades 6–12 taught by DNR-certified instructors beginning in the 2026–27 school year; the course would be permissive, fee-free when provided through schools.
The Game, Fish & Parks committee voted to advance House Bill 451, which would permit local school boards to offer hunter-safety instruction for grades 6 through 12 beginning in the 2026–27 school year, provided the instruction is delivered by instructors certified by the Department of Natural Resources.
Sponsor testimony described the measure as permissive language that mirrors existing DNR hunter-education standards and does not mandate school systems to adopt the course. "The language is very permissive. It doesn't mandate the course. It just allows it," the sponsor told the committee. Representatives and DNR staff said the course must meet core hunter-education standards and could be offered during or after school hours depending on local adoption.
Ted Wills, director of the Wildlife Resources Division's Hunter Development Programs, told the committee that the core standards would follow International Hunter Education Association guidelines and that enhancements — for example, outdoor-conservation content — could be added by local systems. Wills also noted DNR currently has accredited instructors that include law-enforcement personnel, volunteers and school-based personnel.
Committee members asked about instructional time, parental permission and fees. Witnesses said the course is intended to be flexible: if a school offers it, it could be a single-day course, multi-day or more extensive content at local discretion; when provided through schools the testimony said there would be no fee. After discussion, members moved the bill forward by voice vote.
