Committee advances bill allowing firearms on boats

Representative Olson introduced House Bill 2937, saying the measure "simply, allows for the carrying of firearms on boats." Olson described the bill as cleanup following the 2019 constitutional-carry change so that "those that are otherwise qualified to carry a weapon in the state will be qualified to do so on a boat."

No members raised legal objections during the committee’s brief discussion. Representative Manger asked whether the committee had addressed the issue in a prior year; members did not identify a prior passage and the chair directed the clerk to open the voting queue. The chair later stated the committee would "show this bill out as they do pass" in the transcript.

The committee did not record floor debate on restrictions specific to vessels (for example, storage or public-safety exceptions) in the transcript. Next steps: the committee showed HB 2937 out as a do pass and the bill will proceed according to the legislative schedule.