FINAL BILL REPORT

SSB 6486

                                  C 263 L 88

BYSenate Committee on Environment & Natural Resources (originally sponsored by Senators Owen, Metcalf and Warnke)

Creating the Washington state firearm range committee.

Senate Committee on Environment & Natural Resources

House Committe on Natural Resources

SYNOPSIS AS ENACTED

BACKGROUND:

There is increasing interest in creating a facility for archery, target practice, skeet, trap and shotgun sports, dog training, black powder shooting, and related historical heritage activities.  Existing facilities in the state are not adequate to meet the growing interests in these programs.  The pressures of urban growth have gradually reduced the number of sites available for this type of recreational activity.

SUMMARY:

The Legislature recognizes the interest in archery, law enforcement training, target practice, skeet, trap and shotgun sports, dog training, and black powder shooting sports.  Facilities are inadequate to meet the growing demand.  The pressures of urban growth have limited the number of sites available for these types of events.  The Legislature finds that the acquisition and development of an accessible state facility of international quality will promote competition and tourism and provide additional recreational opportunities.

The Washington State Firearm Range Committee is created consisting of eight members appointed by the governor.  It includes one representative each from a local government law enforcement agency; from a statewide law enforcement agency; from a statewide group that emphasizes hunting and hunting safety; from a statewide group that emphasizes target practice and target practice safety; from a skeet, trap, shotgun or dog training group; from a group involved with black powder shooting and related historical heritage events; from an archery and archery safety group; and from the general public.  There are four nonvoting ex officio members, one from each caucus of the Senate and House of Representatives, appointed by the Lieutenant Governor and the Speaker of the House of Representatives.  The members of the committee shall select one of their own members as chair.  Members shall not receive compensation but shall be reimbursed for travel expenses.

The committee's powers and duties are to assess local, state, federal and tribal law enforcement needs; assess sporting needs; survey the existing public and private firearm facilities to assess excess demand; review similar facilities in other states and countries; develop a proposed public and private use and cost ratio and a program of phased development; cooperate with the Department of Natural Resources and other state agencies to identify state lands that may be used for a facility; investigate state and private liability issues and prepare proposals on insurance needs; analyze the appropriate state role in facility planning, development and use; and investigate and prepare recommendations on private and public funding sources, including private donations and grants, and city, county and state funding.  The committee will study the possibility of establishing a surcharge on hunting licenses and tags.

The committee shall assess needs of all areas in the state and select a central site and possible satellite sites.  The Wildlife Department, the Department of Natural Resources, the Department of Trade and Economic Development, the Parks and Recreation Commission, and the House and Senate shall provide support staff for the committee.  The committee may apply for and use private and public grant moneys.  The committee will prepare a report and submit it to the Legislature by January 1, 1990.  The committee will terminate February 1, 1990.

A $3 increase is made in the concealed weapon permit.  The funds from the increase will be deposited in a firearm range account of the wildlife fund to be used, after legislative appropriation, for land, development, construction and operation of firearm, sporting training and practice facilities.

VOTES ON FINAL PASSAGE:

      Senate    25    20

      House 84  12 (House amended)

      Senate    30    14 (Senate concurred)

EFFECTIVE:June 9, 1988