Washington State

House of Representatives

Office of Program Research

BILL

ANALYSIS

Judiciary Committee

HB 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.

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 (Account) and provides that $1 of both the CPL original license fee and renewal license fee must be deposited in the Account rather than the State General Fund.

Background:

It is generally unlawful for a person to carry a pistol concealed on his or her person, except in the person's abode or fixed place of business, unless the person has a valid concealed pistol license (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.

In order 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 if the applicant meets other eligibility requirements. A copy of the CPL must be delivered to the Department of Licensing, 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:

The Department of Licensing (DOL) must mail a concealed pistol license (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. One dollar of both the CPL original license fee and renewal license fee must be deposited in the Account rather than the State General Fund. Expenditures from the Account may be used only by the DOL for CPL renewal notifications.