Senate committee advances HB 84 after adopting amendment that bars open carry on campuses

A Senate committee on Thursday advanced House Bill 84 (third substitute) with a favorable recommendation to the full Senate after adopting an amendment clarifying which institutions the bill covers.

Representative Brooks and the bill sponsor explained the amendment adds cross-references to state code to list the private institutions covered and to remove ambiguity. The sponsor summarized the third substitute as reinstating permitless carry and continuing concealed carry while explicitly removing open carry on higher-education campuses: "So we made it clear that there is no open carry allowed on campus." The substitute also clarifies that campuses may make accommodations when a roommate objects to a firearm in a dorm room.

Senator Bluein, who questioned the sponsor during committee debate, said she had "serious concerns about having, guns in dorm rooms just, at all at this point," and asked whether the bill changes dorm-room rules; the sponsor responded that the bill allows accommodations but does not ban firearms in dorms. Committee members also discussed whether the bill originated with higher-education leadership, public-safety officials or Second Amendment advocates; the sponsor said it reflected constituent input and discussions with the higher-education board.

There was no in-person public testimony on HB 84 at the committee meeting. After discussion, Senator Hankins moved that the committee pass out HB 84 (third substitute) with a favorable recommendation as amended. The motion carried; the chair reported passage "3 to 1." The committee record shows the amendment was adopted before the final motion to advance the bill.

The bill will next be considered by the full Senate.