SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5268

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 Amended by House, April 19, 2017

Title: An act relating to notice to the licensee before a concealed pistol license expires.

Brief Description: Concerning notice to the licensee before a concealed pistol license expires.

Sponsors: Senators Takko, Chase, Warnick, Schoesler, King, Sheldon, Saldaña, Cleveland, Pearson, Honeyford, Hawkins, Wilson, Becker and Hasegawa.

Committee Activity: Law & Justice: 1/24/17, 2/01/17 [DP-WM].

Floor Activity:

Passed Senate: 2/23/17, 49-0.Passed House: 4/11/17, 98-0; 4/19/17, 97-0.

Brief Summary of Bill

Provides for 60 days notice of expiration to a concealed pistol license holder who provides an email address at the time of the application for the current license.
Providing an email address is optional at the applicant's discretion.
Designates the Department of Licensing (DOL) as the entity required to give notice.

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; Pedersen, Ranking Minority Member; Angel, Darneille, Frockt and Wilson.

Staff: Aldo Melchiori (786-7439)

Background: The chief of police of a municipality or the sheriff of a county must, within 30 days after an application, issue a license to such person to carry a pistol concealed on their person within this state for 5 years from date of issue. If the applicant does not have a valid permanent Washington driver's license or Washington State identification card or has not been a resident of the state for the previous consecutive 90 days, the issuing authority has up to 60 days after the application to issue a license.

The chief or sheriff must check through the National Instant Criminal Background Check System, the Washington State Patrol electronic database, the Department of Social and Health Services electronic database, and with other agencies or resources as appropriate, to determine whether the applicant is ineligible to possess a firearm or a concealed pistol license (CPL). This applies whether the applicant is applying for a new or renewing a CPL.

The CPL application must bear the full name, residential address, telephone number at the option of the applicant, date and place of birth, race, gender, description, a complete set of fingerprints, signature of the applicant, and the applicant's driver's license number or state identification card number if used for identification in applying for the CPL. The application must also contain questions about the applicant's eligibility to possess a pistol, place of birth, and whether the applicant is a United States citizen. If the applicant is not a United States citizen, the applicant must provide the applicant's country of citizenship, United States issued alien number or admission number, and the basis on which the applicant claims to be exempt from federal prohibitions on firearm possession by aliens. The applicant is not required to produce a birth certificate or other evidence of citizenship.

CPL holders may renew a CPL if they apply for renewal within 90 days before or after the expiration date of the CPL. A CPL holder renewing after the expiration date of the license must pay a late renewal penalty of $10 in addition to the renewal fee.

Summary of Bill: An applicant for a CPL may, at their discretion, provide their email address at the time they apply for a CPL. If the applicant does so, the DOL must send notice of the CPL expiration to the licensee's provided email address within 60 days prior to the expiration of the CPL.

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: PRO: This is a relatively simple bill. Notices of expiration are sent by the Department of Licensing for other types of licenses already.

Persons Testifying: PRO: Senator Padden, Chair.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: No one.

EFFECT OF HOUSE AMENDMENT(S):

Amends a law enacted in this 2017 session (SHB 1100) that requires DOL to mail a concealed pistol license renewal notice to a licensee approximately 90 days prior to license expiration by adding that if a licensee provides an email address at the time of license application, the DOL may send the license renewal notice to the licensee's email address rather than providing the renewal notice by mail.
Provides that the bill is null and void unless specifically funded in the budget with an appropriation from the Firearms Range Account.