Washington State
House of Representatives
Office of Program Research		 BILL
ANALYSIS
Commerce & Labor Committee

HB 2941

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 Description: Concerning licensing fees under the explosives act.

Sponsors: Representatives Moeller and Conway; by request of Department of Labor & Industries.

Brief Summary of Bill
  • Raises the fees for explosives licenses.
  • Requires (rather than authorizes) the Department of Labor and Industries (Department) to charge applicants the current fee for criminal history record checks.
  • Specifies that fees collected for explosives licensing are to be deposited in the accident and medical aid funds.

Hearing Date: 1/22/08

Staff: Joan Elgee (786-7106).

Background:

A license is required to manufacture, purchase, sell, use, and store explosives, and failure to have a valid license is a class C felony. Explosives include dynamite, nitroglycerin, and blasting caps. Fingerprint-based criminal history record checks are required for every new and renewal applicant. As a result of recent reviews by the Washington State Patrol (WSP) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the explosives section of the Department must now pay the WSP for the WSP and FBI record checks.

Annual minimum and maximum license fees for each license type are set in statute. (The storage license fee is per magazine, and is to be graduated by the quantity of explosives stored.) In addition, the Department may charge a fee of up to $20 for the criminal history check.

The Department issues explosives licenses and otherwise administers the explosives provisions under the Washington Industrial Safety and Health Act. Amounts collected are deposited into the State General Fund.

Summary of Bill:

License fees for explosives licenses are raised as follows:

License Type
   Minimum Fee
   Maximum Fee

Current
Proposed
Current
Proposed
Purchaser
$ 5
$25
$ 15
$100
Storage
$10
$50
$100
$400
User
$ 5
$50
$ 15
$200
Manufacturer
$25
$50
$ 50
$200
Seller (dealer)
$25
$50
$ 50
$200

The Department must (rather than may) charge the applicant the current federal and state fee for the criminal history record check.

All license fees and criminal history check fees must be deposited into the accident and medical aid funds rather than the State General Fund.

Rules Authority: The bill does not directly address rule-making; however, the Department will need to amend its rules to implement the provisions.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.