HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 1191

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

Brief Summary of Substitute Bill

Requires the Department of Licensing (Department) to notify a concealed pistol license licensee of the approaching expiration date of his or her concealed pistol license.
Diverts one dollar of the portion of fees collected from concealed pistol license applications and renewals to an account created for the Department's use in complying with the notice requirement.

Background:

Generally, under Washington law, a person may carry a concealed pistol only if the person has a concealed pistol license. An application for a concealed pistol license must be submitted to the local sheriff's office if the person lives in an unincorporated area, or at the police department or sheriff's office if the person lives in an incorporated city or town. The sheriff's office or police department conducts a fingerprint-based background check and collects a $36 application fee plus any charges imposed by the Federal Bureau of Investigation that are passed on to the applicant. Unless otherwise disqualified by law, the chief of police or sheriff must issue the concealed pistol license within 30 days of the person filing the application if the person is a Washington resident, or within 60 days if the person is not a Washington resident.

The concealed pistol license is valid for five years unless otherwise revoked. The Department of Licensing (Department) maintains the records regarding concealed pistol licenses.

A person may renew the person's concealed pistol license within 90 days of the expiration of the current concealed pistol license. The person must renew the license at either the local sheriff's office or police department, depending on whether the person lives in an incorporated city or town, or unincorporated county. The person must pay a $32 renewal fee. If the person fails to renew the concealed pistol license before the license's expiration date, the person will be charged a $10 late fee in addition to the $32 renewal fee.

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Summary of Substitute Bill:

The Department must mail a renewal notice to a concealed permit license licensee approximately 90 days before the expiration of the licensee's concealed pistol license. The notice must be sent to the person's address contained on the concealed pistol license or to a new address if the licensee has updated his or her address with the Department. The notification must contain:

the date the concealed pistol license will expire;
the renewal fee amount;
the penalty for the late renewal; and
the instructions on how to renew the license.

One dollar collected from the concealed pistol license applications and renewal fees is diverted from the General Fund and is allocated to the Department for the cost of complying with the notification requirement. This money is deposited into the newly created Concealed Pistol License Renewal Notification Account (Account).

The notification requirement applies only to concealed pistol licenses expiring on or after August 1, 2016.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:

The substitute bill reallocates a portion of the funds collected from concealed pistol license application and renewal fees to be used by the Department to comply with the notification requirements. The funds are deposited into the newly created Account. The Department must start notifying concealed pistol licensees whose concealed pistol license expires on or after August 1, 2016.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

(In support) This is a bill intended to protect lawful possessors of a concealed pistol from getting in legal trouble because the individuals were unaware of the license's expiration date. Setting the notification requirement at approximately 90 days prior to the expiration date gives the Department some flexibility in meeting the notification requirement.

(Opposed) None.