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Committee re‑refers technical bill to allow some retired peace officers to carry at the Capitol; amendment to narrow scope fails
Summary
House File 924, a technical fix clarifying that certain retired peace officers may carry at the state Capitol without obtaining a civilian permit, was re‑referred to the general register; an amendment that would have limited carrying to official capital security personnel failed on a roll call.
House File 924, described by sponsor Representative Nash as a technical fix to language adopted in 2015, was moved out of the House Public Safety Committee to the general register on Feb. 26.
The bill clarifies that retired peace officers who meet federal training and qualification requirements may carry a sidearm on Capitol grounds without obtaining a separate permit to carry. A retired law enforcement testifier, Greg Falver, described the annual training and qualification requirements that apply to retired officers who carry under the Law Enforcement Officer Safety Act; he said many retired officers routinely carry and often intervene in incidents as a habit from prior service.
Representative Lehi Mueller offered a DE 1 amendment that would have limited authorized carry on the Capitol grounds to capital security and licensed peace officers acting in official duties; Mueller cited rising threats to public officials and examples of states that restrict firearms on capitol complexes. Representative Nash opposed the amendment as narrowing the roll‑back the bill intends to fix and said it would exclude many legitimately qualified retired officers. The amendment failed on roll call (8 ayes, 10 nays). The bill itself was re‑referred to the general register by voice vote.
Ending: House File 924 will proceed to the House calendar; the committee rejected a narrowing amendment and left the technical restoration as drafted.
