FINAL BILL REPORT

SSB 6726

                              C 195 L 90

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

Providing funds for firearm range facilities.

Senate Committee on Environment & Natural Resources

House Committe on Fisheries & Wildlife

Rereferred House Committee on Appropriations

SYNOPSIS AS ENACTED

BACKGROUND:

The Washington State Firearm Range Committee was created by the 1988 Legislature.  The committee is appointed by the Governor and is composed of nine members representing various aspects of sport shooting and law enforcement groups in Washington.  Four nonvoting ex officio members from the Legislature are on the committee.  The committee prepared a report which was submitted to the Legislature on January 1, 1990.  The committee reviewed existing public and private firearm range facilities, assessed the needs for firearm ranges, and reviewed various methods to fund the development of firearm ranges.  Funds accruing to the firearm range account come from a surcharge on concealed weapon permits.

SUMMARY:

The interest in all shooting sports has increased while safe locations to shoot have been lost due to the pressures of urban growth.

The expenditure purposes of the firearm range account are established so that the funds can be used for the purchase and development of land, construction or improvement of range facilities, remodeling of facilities, equipment purchasing, safety and environmental improvements, noise abatement and liability protection for firearm ranges and sporting firearm training and practice facilities.  Funds may not be used for shooting supplies or normal operating expenses.  The grant funds distributed in the form of grants will not supplement funds for other organization programs.  The funds will be available to nonprofit shooting organizations, school districts, state, county and local governments on a match basis.  All the ranges receiving matching funds must be open to the public on a regular basis and usable by law enforcement personnel or the general public.

Applicants for grants from the firearm range account will provide matching funds or in-kind contributions.  The grants must be represented dollar for dollar as an equal grant, and may be in the form of in-kind contributions, materials or property.

Applicants other than school districts or local government must be registered as nonprofit organizations with the Secretary of State.  Organizations requesting grants must provide hours of range availability for the public and for law enforcement use.  Any nonprofit organization accepting grants will be required to pay back the entire grant amount if the use is discontinued less than ten years after the grant is accepted.  Any nonprofit facility that allows safe shooting of firearms and/or archery equipment is eligible for a grant.  The facilities in all cases must be open for hunter safety education classes on a regular basis, free of charge.  Government units or school districts applying for grants must open their range facility on a regular basis for hunter safety training education.

The Firearm Range Committee is reconstituted and the appointments by the Governor will represent shooting interests, archery interests and the Military Department.  The administrating agency is the Interagency Committee for Outdoor Recreation that will administer the grants for the committee.  The firearm range account in the wildlife fund is transferred to a dedicated account in the general fund and is appropriated from that account to the Interagency Committee for Outdoor Recreation for grants as approved by the Firearm Range Committee.  The Interagency Committee may use up to 10 percent of the funds for administrative expenses.

An appropriation of $450,000 is made from the firearm range account in the general fund.

VOTES ON FINAL PASSAGE:

     Senate   43    3

     House 97  0 (House amended)

     Senate   38    2 (Senate concurred)

EFFECTIVE:June 7, 1990