Committee clears bill allowing voluntary hunter‑safety instruction in public schools by DNR‑certified instructors

Representative Buchanan presented House Bill 451, which would authorize (but not require) local boards of education to provide hunter‑safety instruction in grades 6–12. The instruction must be based on existing Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) hunter‑education courses and must be taught by DNR‑qualified instructors.

Buchanan said the bill is permissive: it “authorizes” local boards to offer the course but does not mandate it. He told the committee the intent is to expose students to outdoor traditions and to allow any student who completes an approved course to receive the standard hunter‑safety certification card.

Committee members asked practical questions: whether completion would entitle students to receive a hunter‑safety card (Buchanan: yes), and whether the authorization would effectively mandate instruction in urban counties with little hunting (committee counsel clarified that “shall be authorized” is permissive language and not a requirement). Senator Hickman noted there are already about 400 qualified instructors in Georgia — 256 DNR law‑enforcement instructors, 66 volunteers and 107 classroom teachers providing instruction now. The sportsmen’s caucus supported the bill and the committee approved it by voice vote.

What the bill does: authorizes local boards to offer DNR‑aligned hunter‑safety education for grades 6–12, requires instruction by DNR‑qualified instructors, and allows students who complete the course to obtain the standard hunter‑safety card. Participation is voluntary for districts.

The committee passed the bill and moved it forward.