SENATE BILL REPORT

SHB 1100

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.

As Reported by Senate Committee On:

Law & Justice, March 22, 2017

Ways & Means, March 29, 2017

Title: An act relating to concealed pistol license renewal notices.

Brief Description: Concerning concealed pistol license renewal notices.

Sponsors: House Committee on Appropriations (originally sponsored by Representatives Taylor, Blake, Shea, Harmsworth, Condotta, Short, Volz, Van Werven, Irwin, Hargrove and Buys).

Brief History: Passed House: 2/27/17, 96-0.

Committee Activity: Law & Justice: 3/21/17, 3/22/17 [DP-WM, DNP].

Ways & Means: 3/29/17 [DP, DNP, w/oRec].

Brief Summary of Bill

  • Requires the Department of Licensing to mail a concealed pistol license (CPL) renewal notification to the license holder approximately 90 days prior to the expiration of the license.

  • Creates a CPL Renewal Notification account.

  • Provides that $0.84 of both the CPL original license fee and renewal license fee must be deposited into the CPL Renewal Notification account rather than into the Firearms Range account.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON LAW & JUSTICE

Majority Report: Do pass and be referred to Committee on Ways & Means.

Signed by Senators Padden, Chair; O'Ban, Vice Chair; Angel and Wilson.

Minority Report: Do not pass.

Signed by Senators Pedersen, Ranking Minority Member; Darneille and Frockt.

Staff: Aldo Melchiori (786-7439)

SENATE COMMITTEE ON WAYS & MEANS

Majority Report: Do pass.

Signed by Senators Braun, Chair; Brown, Vice Chair; Honeyford, Vice Chair, Capital Budget ; Bailey, Becker, Conway, Fain, Miloscia, Padden, Rivers, Schoesler, Warnick and Zeiger.

Minority Report: Do not pass.

Signed by Senators Ranker, Ranking Minority Member; Rolfes, Assistant Ranking Minority Member, Operating Budget; Frockt, Assistant Ranking Minority Member, Capital Budget; Carlyle and Darneille.

Minority Report: That it be referred without recommendation.

Signed by Senators Billig, Hasegawa, Keiser and Pedersen.

Staff: Daniel Masterson (786-7454)

Background: It is generally unlawful for a person to carry a pistol concealed on their person, except in the person's abode or fixed place of business, unless the person has a valid CPL. Carrying a concealed pistol without having been issued a CPL is a misdemeanor offense. Failure to carry a CPL in one's immediate possession while carrying a concealed pistol is a civil infraction.

To obtain a CPL, a person must apply with the local law enforcement agency and undergo a fingerprint-based background check. A CPL must be issued if the applicant is not ineligible to possess a firearm under state or federal law and meets other eligibility requirements. A copy of the CPL must be delivered to the Department of Licensing (DOL), which maintains records of CPLs in an electronic database.

A CPL is valid for a period of five years. The fee for an original CPL is $36 plus additional charges imposed by the Federal Bureau of Investigation that are passed on to the applicant. The fee is distributed as follows: $15 to the state General Fund; $4 to the agency taking the fingerprints of the applicant; $14 to the license-issuing authority; and $3 to the Firearms Range account.

A CPL holder may renew the license by applying for renewal within 90 days before or after expiration of the license. The renewal takes effect on the expiration date of the previous license. The renewal fee is $32, and if the licensee renews after the expiration date, an additional $10 late renewal penalty applies. The $32 renewal fee is distributed as follows: $15 to the state General Fund; $14 to the license-issuing authority; and $3 to the Firearms Range account.

Summary of Bill: DOL must mail a CPL renewal notification to a license holder approximately 90 days prior to the expiration of the license for CPLs that expire on or after August 1, 2018. The notification must be sent to the address listed on the CPL application or to the licensee's new address if the licensee has notified the DOL of a change of address. The notice must include the date of license expiration, amount of the renewal fee, penalty for late renewal, and instructions on how to renew the license.

A CPL Renewal Notification account (Account) is created; $0.84 of both the CPL original license fee and renewal license fee must be deposited in the Account rather than the Firearms Range account. Expenditures from the Account may be used only by the DOL for CPL renewal notifications.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Creates Committee/Commission/Task Force that includes Legislative members: No.

Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony (Law & Justice): PRO: Unlike many other licenses issued by the state, CPL holders do not receive any prior notice when their CPL is about to expire. It is easy to forget to renew your CPL after 5 years. The bill provides this notice without any cost to the state or taxpayers.

Persons Testifying (Law & Justice): PRO: Representative David Taylor, Prime Sponsor.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying (Law & Justice): No one.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony (Ways & Means): No public hearing was held.

Persons Testifying (Ways & Means): N/A.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying (Ways & Means): N/A.