Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the School Safety topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Senate clears weapon-free school zones bill for third reading after student-led push
Summary
After students from Jackson Elementary helped prompt HB 109, senators debated exemptions for parents and hunters and whether zone definitions are too broad; sponsors said the bill follows existing drug-free school zone zoning and advanced it to third reading.
Senators moved House Bill 109, a weapon-free school zones measure advanced by students in Jackson Elementary, to the third-reading calendar after debate over exemptions and the scope of enhanced penalties.
The bill creates prohibitions on possessing dangerous weapons on or about school premises (defined by proximity consistent with prior drug-free school-zone law) and increases penalties where a firearm is used or threatened during another offense. Sponsors said the measure mirrors drug-free school-zone zoning and that exemptions for authorized carriers, supervised demonstrations and parents dropping off children were included to avoid unintended consequences.
During floor debate several senators raised scenarios they feared the bill as written might capture: a parent who briefly stops to drop off children with hunting gear in the vehicle, off-site school activities (for example a school picnic at a park), or incidental possession during hunting season when a parent picks up a child en route to the field. Sponsors and committee members said committee discussion and police input led them to include targeted exemptions; they recommended further review between second and third reading and asked Department of Public Safety leadership to be available to answer technical drafting questions.
The bill passed a recorded preliminary vote and was placed on the third-read calendar (28 ayes, 1 absent). Senators requested counsel and law-enforcement input before final passage to ensure the scope does not unintentionally sweep in lawful conduct unrelated to school activities.
Ending: HB 109 moves to third reading with instructions to the sponsor to consult law enforcement and refine exemptions if needed.
