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SJ 7

Commending Honorable Robert G. MacDonald.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Christie Craig

Legislature declares support for recognizing shooting competitions as a collegiate sport and urges colleges to adopt safety, coaching, and equity policies; no funding.

Bill text as passed Senate and House (SJ7ER)
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Bill Summary · SJ 7

Summary — SJ 7: Joint resolution to support shooting competition as a collegiate sport

Status: Filed with Secretary of State (final action completed Feb 24, 2025)
Introduced: January 8, 2025
Classification: Joint resolution (General Joint Resolution)
Subjects: Colleges / University System; Guns and Weapons

Purpose and intent

SJ 7 is a legislative joint resolution that formally expresses the legislature’s support for recognizing and promoting shooting competition as a collegiate sport. As a resolution (not an appropriations or codifying statute), its purpose is to state policy and encourage action by colleges, the state university system, and other relevant entities rather than to create a new legal entitlement or mandate spending.

Key provisions (summary of substantive content)

  • Officially states the legislature’s support for collegiate shooting competitions and the student-athletes who participate.
  • Urges public colleges, the state university system, and governing institutions of higher education to consider recognizing and supporting organized shooting competitions (e.g., rifle, shotgun, pistol, clay-target disciplines) as collegiate athletic activities or varsity club sports.
  • Encourages institutions to adopt or strengthen policies that:
    • Promote safety, training, and responsible handling of firearms in compliance with applicable federal, state, and campus law;
    • Provide appropriate administrative support (coaching, facilities access, travel and competition logistics) where institutions choose to support such teams;
    • Consider equitable treatment for student-athletes in accordance with existing nondiscrimination obligations (including gender equity requirements such as Title IX);
  • Expresses support for collaboration between colleges and established collegiate shooting organizations or leagues.

Note: The resolution is declaratory and hortatory in nature—it asks and encourages rather than compels administration action or authorizes funding.

Who would be affected

  • Public colleges and universities and their athletic departments and student activities offices.
  • Current and prospective student-athletes interested in competitive shooting.
  • Campus public-safety and risk-management offices (as they implement or review safety protocols).
  • Postsecondary governing bodies that set sport recognition policies.
  • External collegiate shooting leagues and community partners.

Legislative timeline and procedural status

  • Introduced (Senate): Jan 7–8, 2025; referred to Senate Education & Cultural Resources.
  • Passed Senate 2nd/3rd readings and transmitted to House: Jan 27–28, 2025.
  • Referred to House Education, heard and reported: Jan 29–Feb 10, 2025; 2nd/3rd readings concurred Feb 14–18.
  • Enrolling/Signing: Returned from enrolling Feb 20; signed by House Speaker and Senate President Feb 21.
  • Filed with Secretary of State: Feb 24, 2025.
  • Related: Replaces LC 653.

Practical effect and likely impacts

  • Symbolic and policy-direction: can increase institutional willingness to recognize and support shooting teams, potentially leading to more varsity or club programs, scholarships, and facility investments where institutions elect to act.
  • No direct funding or change to criminal/firearm statutes — program development would be subject to each institution’s policies and applicable law.
  • Could prompt review of campus safety, storage, transport, and training practices and require attention to equity (e.g., Title IX) by institutions that expand shooting programs.

This resolution should be read as an expression of legislative support and an encouragement to educational institutions to develop or expand collegiate shooting opportunities consistent with safety and legal requirements.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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