Bills › 88th General Assembly
Relating to the possession and storage of firearms by a tenant of a dwelling unit or mobile home space and making penalties applicable
Where it is now
- Done: IntroducedFebruary 12, 2020
- Done: SubcommitteeFebruary 13, 2020
- Stopped: Senate committeeDied when the General Assembly ended
- Next: Passes the Senate
- Next: House committee
- Next: Passes the House
- Next: To the Governor
- Next: Signed into law
Died when the session ended The 2020 session adjourned on June 14, 2020, the General Assembly’s last regular session. Bills that didn’t pass both chambers died. What’s a funnel?
What’s in it
This bill relates to the lawful possession and storage of firearms in a dwelling unit. The bill prohibits a landlord of a dwelling unit or mobile home space from including in a rental agreement a provision that prevents a tenant from lawfully possessing or storing a firearm in the dwelling unit. The bill also prohibits a landlord of a dwelling unit or mobile home space from including in a rental agreement a provision that the tenant will pay a fee or higher rent, have limited access to amenities offered, or otherwise be restricted due to the tenant’s lawful possession and storage of a firearm in the dwelling unit.
Read the full explanation
In the context of a tenant leasing a mobile home space, “dwelling unit” excludes the real property used to accommodate a manufactured or mobile home. The bill does not prohibit a landlord from including in a rental agreement a provision that prohibits a tenant from possessing or storing a firearm in an appurtenant structure that is detached from the dwelling unit. The bill also does not prohibit a landlord from terminating a rental agreement if the tenant creates a clear and present danger. The bill provides that the mere possession or storage of a firearm by a tenant in the dwelling unit does not constitute a clear and present danger. A provision in a rental agreement that violates the bill is unenforceable. A tenant of a dwelling unit may recover from a landlord actual damages sustained by the tenant, not more than three months’ periodic rent, and reasonable attorney fees if the landlord willfully uses a rental agreement that contains provisions known by the landlord to be prohibited by the bill. A tenant of a mobile home space may recover from a landlord actual damages sustained if the landlord knowingly includes in the rental agreement a provision known to be prohibited by the bill.
Senate subcommittee
Named February 13, 2020. On February 20, 2020 it recommended passage.
Three legislators hear a bill first and recommend what the committee should do; it’s the best time to weigh in. How to take part