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Sponsor asks to delay tenant self‑defense bill after stakeholder concerns
Summary
Representative Reeves asked the Business & Utility Subcommittee to roll House Bill 469 for one week to refine language ensuring tenants (residential and commercial) retain the ability to lawfully defend themselves inside leased premises; members agreed and the bill was postponed for a week.
Representative Reeves requested a one‑week delay on House Bill 469, saying the bill is intended to "ensure that tenants, whether residential or commercial, are not required to give up their ability to lawfully defend themselves inside the premises they lease and control." He told the committee he had received "thoughtful comments and some very specific fact patterns" that warranted revision and asked stakeholders to contact his office.
Committee members pressed the sponsor on how the bill would interact with landlords' property‑rights policies and whether it implicated Second Amendment issues. Reeves said the measure focuses on self‑defense and is not the government dictating firearm ownership: "this really doesn't implicate 2nd amendment. This is ... a self defense issue." Members also asked for clarity on weapon definitions and liability if an injured tenant sues; Reeves said those questions would be part of the amendment work over the coming week. With no objection, the chair granted the sponsor's request and the bill was rolled one week.
