Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Safety Firearms topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Committee pauses work on firearm safe‑storage tax credit after privacy, administration questions
Summary
House Bill 79 would create a refundable tax credit up to $300 per taxpayer to reimburse purchases of firearm secure storage devices or certified safe‑handling instruction. Senators raised privacy and administration questions; the committee deferred further work to address concerns.
Representative Newton presented House Bill 79 (LC501085S), a bill proposing a voluntary tax credit—up to $300 per taxpayer and with a $10,000,000 cap over five years—to subsidize firearm secure storage devices and approved firearm safe‑handling instruction courses. The presenter framed the bill as a public safety measure aimed primarily at reducing child and youth firearm deaths and encouraging responsible storage.
The bill allows the credit to be used for devices ranging from trigger locks to biometric bedside safes and for safe‑handling courses (noted typical course costs of $100–$150). The presenter said the bill includes a prohibition on creating or disseminating a list of people who claim the credit and emphasized the program is voluntary.
Senators asked detailed questions about administration and privacy. Senator D'Olezal (Dolesale) raised concerns about how the Department of Revenue would enforce the "once in a lifetime" limit without maintaining a list, noting the transcript language that DOR must have a mechanism "for purposes necessary for the DOR to administer." The presenter and other senators discussed the option of a point‑of‑sale approach but did not resolve the administration or privacy issues during the hearing.
The committee announced it would hold further talks offline to work through privacy and administration details; the transcript records senators explaining they would continue negotiations and that no final committee vote was taken on the bill at that time. A student public commenter offered brief testimony urging care in addressing gun violence while the committee deferred further action.
