SENATE BILL REPORT
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.
As Reported By Senate Committee On:
Labor, Commerce, Research & Development, February 21, 2008
Title: An act relating to concerning fees for explosives licenses.
Brief Description: Concerning licensing fees under the explosives act.
Sponsors: Representatives Moeller and Conway; by request of Department of Labor & Industries.
Brief History: Passed House: 2/07/08, 93-2.
Committee Activity: Labor, Commerce, Research & Development: 2/21/08 [DP, DNP].
SENATE COMMITTEE ON LABOR, COMMERCE, RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT
Majority Report: Do pass.Signed by Senators Kohl-Welles, Chair; Keiser, Vice Chair; Franklin, Murray and Prentice.
Minority Report: Do not pass.Signed by Senators Holmquist, Ranking Minority Member; and King.
Staff: Mac Nicholson (786-7445)
Background: Any person manufacturing, purchasing, selling, possessing, transporting, or storing any explosive device must have a valid license issued by the Department of Labor and Industries (L&I). The annual license fee for purchasing or using explosives is $5; however, that amount can be increased to a maximum of $15 to reflect L&I costs associated with administering the state explosives act. The annual license fee for storing explosives is $10, which may be adjusted to $100 to cover administrative costs. The annual license fee for manufacturing or selling explosives is $25, which may be adjusted to $50 to cover administrative costs. Individuals seeking issuance or renewal of any explosives license must submit to fingerprinting and criminal history record information checks. Applicants may be required to pay a $20 fingerprinting and criminal history process fee.
Summary of Bill: The annual license fee for purchasing or using explosives is changed to $25, which may be adjusted to a maximum of $100 to reflect L&I costs associated with administering the state explosives act. The annual license fee for storing explosives is changed to $50, which may be adjusted to $400 to cover administrative costs. The annual license fee for manufacturing or selling explosives is changed to $50, which may be adjusted to $200 to cover administrative costs. Applicants for explosive licenses must pay the current federal and state fee for fingerprint-based criminal history background checks. All explosives act licensing fees and application fees are deposited into the L&I accident and medical aid funds, rather than the state General Fund.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: The bill allows L&I to adjust fees in order to cover costs associated with background checks needed when licensing folks under the explosives act. Fees were last adjusted in 1988.
Persons Testifying: PRO: Representative Moeller, prime sponsor; Steve Cant, L&I.