HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  SB 6089

             As Reported By House Committee On:

                        Law & Justice

Title:  An act relating to eligibility for firearms range account funding.

Brief Description:  Changing criteria for eligibility for firearms range account funding.

Sponsors:  Senators Rasmussen, Drew, Sheldon, Roach, Oke, A. Anderson and Goings.

Brief History:

  Committee Activity:

Law & Justice:  2/9/96, 2/16/96 [DPA].

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON LAW & JUSTICE

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended.  Signed by 16 members:  Representatives Sheahan, Chairman; Delvin, Vice Chairman; Hickel, Vice Chairman; Dellwo, Ranking Minority Member; Costa, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Carrell; Chappell; Cody; Lambert; McMahan; Morris; Murray; Robertson; Smith; Sterk and Veloria.

Staff:  Bill Perry (786-7123).

Background:  The firearms range account is part of the state general fund.  The account receives $3 from each new or renewed concealed pistol license.  The account may also be funded by gifts or donations.

The money in the range account is administered by the Interagency Council for Outdoor Recreation.  Money from the account may be used for grants to public or private firearms ranges.  The grants are provided on a matching basis of one-to-one.  The match provided by a range may be cash or in-kind.  Grants may be awarded for any of a number of purposes, including purchase and development of land, construction or improvement of range facilities, equipment purchase, safety or environmental improvements, noise abatement, and liability protection.

In order for a private range to be eligible for a matching grant from the range account, the range must meet a number of requirements.  One requirement is that a range must be open on a regular basis to members of the general public who have concealed pistol or hunting licenses or who are taking firearms safety classes.  Another requirement is that the range be a nonprofit organization under both the state law and the federal Internal Revenue Code.  Under the federal law, a nonprofit organization generally must be supported solely by its membership fees.  Some range facilities have expressed concern that it is difficult to meet both the state requirement for openness to the public and the federal requirement for support solely through membership fees.

Summary of Amended Bill:  The eligibility requirements for matching grants from the firearms range account are changed.  A range need no longer be a nonprofit organization under the federal Internal Revenue Code.

The interagency council is directed to give priority to grants for noise abatement and for safety improvements, and these kinds of grants need only be matched on a two-for-one basis.

Amended Bill Compared to Original Bill:  The amendment adds the provisions relating to grant priority and grant matches for noise abatement and safety improvements.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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

Testimony For:  It is difficult if not impossible for ranges to meet the current requirements under both state and federal law.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Jim Williams, Tacoma Sportsmen's Club (pro).