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Minutes for HB2304 - Committee on Federal and State Affairs
Short Title
Standardizing firearms safety programs in school districts.
Minutes Content for Tue, Feb 21, 2023
Chairperson Carpenter opened the hearing on HB2304. The revisor provided an overview on the bill (Attachment 1). Questions were asked by Representatives Hoye and Sanders.
Chairperson Carpenter recognized Representative Patrick Penn as a proponent of HB2304 (Attachment 2). He stated that through this bill, the National Rifle Association (NRA) is providing its Gold Standard programming for firearm safety training for Kansas children and saving lives at no cost and negligible impact to the budget. In addition, the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks' program would become the standard for higher grade levels. He would encourage the Committee to pass out HB2304. Questions were asked by Representatives Hoye, Ruiz, and Highberger.
Chairperson Carpenter called upon Representative Rebecca Schmoe who testified in support of HB2304 (Attachment 3). She stated that it is our responsibility as adults to make sure our children are equipped with the basic uniform and accurate education regarding firearms that HB2304 provides for school districts across the state. With the passage of this bill, we are equipping the future generations of Kansas with the skills and tools necessary to combat negligent firearm discharges. Questions were asked by Representatives Sanders, Clayton, Highberger, and Buehler.
Travis Couture-Lovelady testified as a proponent of HB2304 (Attachment 4). He stated that this bill will help standardize firearm safety education training programs across school districts in Kansas. The NRA Foundation, which is a non-political organization, provides free resources to school districts and other agencies, as well as free online courses for individuals age 16 and older. In addition, the State could receive money back from the Department of Interior just by individuals using the free online courses. He would urge the Committee to pass HB2304. Questions were asked by Representatives Sanders, Haswood, and Hoye.
The Chair recognized Moriah Day as a proponent of HB2304 (Attachment 5). He stated that the Kansas State Rifle Association requested reintroduction of the bill passed last year. Creating a standard for firearm education in schools based on objective fact is the only way to counteract the dangerous perspective many young people have developed from learning about firearms only through violent and careless examples on display across pop culture.
Tammy Bartels testified in support of HB2304 (Attachment 6). She stated that teaching safety to children is one of the most important things we can do. Offering educational curriculum on firearm safety gives youth a tool that they can use should they ever need it. She asked the Committee to pass HB2304.
Chairperson Carpenter noted that there is written proponent testimony from Sven Lindquist, Safari Club International (Attachment 7).
Chairperson Carpenter recognized Ann Mah as an opponent of HB2304 (Attachment 8). She stated that while the Kansas State Board of Education (KSBOE) understands the importance of firearm safety training, it rejects the notion that the legislature has authority to set curricular standards in Kansas public schools. Per the Kansas constitution and the Kansas Supreme Court case law, the Kansas State Board of Education has the power and authority to set curricular standards. It is the purview of local boards of education to determine the curriculum to be used to meet KSBOE standards.
Chairperson Carpenter recognized Leslie Milton as an opponent of HB2304 (Attachment 9). She stated that local school boards should decide which materials to use to implement a gun-safety curriculum. A question was asked by Representative Blake Carpenter.
Chairperson Carpenter stated that there is written opponent testimony from Leanna Barclay (Attachment 10); Deborah Boatright (Attachment 11); Latonya Boyd (Attachment 12); Lene Brooke (Attachment 13); Patty Jurich, Kansas PTA (Attachment 14); Shannon Little (Attachment 15); Katie Mangelsdorf (Attachment 16); Lauren Tice Miller, Kansas NEA (Attachment 17); Karen Mitchell (Attachment 18); Claudia Olea (Attachment 19); and Melissa Reichmeier (Attachment 20).
Chairperson Carpenter closed the hearing on HB2304.
