Committee advances substitute for gun-related tax measure after authors remove safe-storage credit

The committee considered House Bill 79 (LC443562S), originally including a sales tax holiday tied to the opening days of deer season and a safe-storage sales tax credit. Members and the sponsor confirmed that the substitute before the committee removes the sales tax holiday and the safe-storage provision; what remains is a tax credit related to gun-safety courses.

Senator Jackson asked for clarification comparing the version that passed the floor and the committee substitute. The chair described the floor language as a temporary sales-tax credit for gun and ammunition purchases in the first four days of deer season, but said that provision had been removed from the substitute. A committee member summarized the current text: "The original bill had an additional sales tax exemption in 4 days. This is a tax credit for, gun safety courses." That member and others noted that the safe-storage credit is no longer in the bill.

Leader Anna Anavitarte and others were identified in discussion as having drafted or attempted amendments; Representative Newton was identified as the bill’s original author by members during the exchange. The committee removed the 'hearing only' tag, then moved and approved a motion to advance the substitute.

The transcript records committee-level procedural actions and clarifications; it does not show final floor action or final statutory language. Supporters described the remaining measure as focused on encouraging gun-safety training, while critics asked questions about the removal of earlier provisions and the exact text of the substitute.