AN ACT Relating to funding of firearm range facilities; amending RCW 77.12.195 and 77.32.101; adding a new section to chapter 77.12 RCW; creating a new section; and making an appropriation.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. Regardless of one's personal perceptions of firearms in modern American society, it is an indisputable fact that firearms are present in large numbers both nationally and locally here in Washington. Firearms are collected, used for hunting, recreational shooting, and self-defense, and firearms (and bow) owners will always need safe, accessible areas in which to shoot their equipment. Approved shooting ranges provide that opportunity, while at the same time, promoting public firearms safety.

Interest in all shooting sports has increased while safe locations to shoot have been lost to the pressures of urban growth. The firearms range committee, authorized in 1988 by the legislature to study firearms ranges throughout Washington state, has submitted its final report. As a result of that report, the following modifications to chapters 77.12 and 77.32 RCW are proposed.

Sec. 2. Section 9, chapter 263, Laws of 1988 and RCW 77.12.195 are each amended to read as follows:

The firearm range account is hereby created in the state wildlife fund. Moneys in the account shall be subject to legislative appropriation and shall be used for ((~~land, construction, development, and operation of~~)) purchase and development of land, construction or improvement of range facilities, including fixed structure construction or remodeling, equipment purchase, safety or environmental improvements, noise abatement, and liability protection for firearm ranges and sporting firearm training and practice facilities.

Grant funds shall not be used for expendable shooting supplies, or normal operating expenses. Grant funds shall not supplant funds for other organization programs.

The funds will be available to nonprofit shooting organizations, school districts, and state, county, or local governments on a match basis. All ranges receiving matching funds must be open on a regular basis and usable by law enforcement personnel or the general public who possess Washington concealed carry permits or Washington hunting licenses.

Applicants for a grant from the firearms range account shall provide matching funds in either cash or in-kind contributions. The match must represent one dollar in value for each one dollar of the grant. In-kind contributions include but are not limited to labor, materials, and new property. Existing assets and existing development may not apply to the match.

Applicants other than school districts or local government must be registered as a nonprofit organization with the Washington secretary of state and the United States internal revenue service. The organization's articles of incorporation must contain provisions for the organization's structure, officers, legal address, and registered agent.

Organizations requesting grants must provide the hours of range availability for public and law enforcement use. If fees are charged for use of the range, the fee structure will be submitted with the grant application.

Any nonprofit organization or agency accepting a grant under this program will be required to pay back the entire grant amount to the firearms range account if the use of the range facility is discontinued less than ten years after the grant is accepted.

Any facility that allows safe shooting of firearms and/or archery equipment is eligible for a grant.

Facilities receiving grants must be open for hunter safety education classes on a regular basis for no fee.

Government units or school districts applying for grants must open their range facility on a regular basis for hunter safety education training. Use by individuals possessing Washington hunting licenses or Washington concealed carry permits must also be allowed on a regular basis for a reasonable fee.

Sec. 3. Section 20, chapter 15, Laws of 1975 1st ex. sess. as last amended by section 2, chapter 464, Laws of 1985 and RCW 77.32.101 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) A hunting and fishing license allows a resident holder to hunt and fish throughout the state. The fee for this license is ((~~twenty-four~~)) twenty-five dollars.

(2) A hunting license allows the holder to hunt throughout the state. The fee for this license is ((~~twelve~~)) thirteen dollars for residents and one hundred twenty-five dollars for nonresidents. One dollar from each combination hunting and fishing license and hunting license is provided for the hunter education program within the department of wildlife.

(3) A fishing license allows the holder to fish throughout the state. The fee for this license is fourteen dollars for residents and forty dollars for nonresidents.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. A new section is added to chapter 77.12 RCW to read as follows:

(1) Grant administration will be handled by a twelve member firearms range committee. The members shall be appointed by the governor and shall be representatives of the following groups:

(a) Local or county law enforcement;

(b) State-wide law enforcement;

(d) Black powder shooting sports;

(e) Rifle shooting sports;

(f) Pistol shooting sports;

(g) Shotgun shooting sports;

(h) Archery shooting sports;

(i) Hunter education;

(j) Hunters;

(k) General public; and

(l) Department of wildlife.

(2) The committee members shall serve three terms with four new members being selected each year beginning with the third year of the committee's existence. The committee members shall not receive compensation from the firearms range account. However, travel and per diem costs shall be paid consistent with regulations for state employees.

(3) The department of wildlife shall provide all administrative operational and logistical support for the committee. All agency expenses directly incurred for supporting this program may be charged against the firearms range account. Expenses shall not exceed ten percent of the yearly income for the range account.

(4) The committee shall:

(a) Develop an application process;

(b) Develop an audit and accountability program;

(d) Monitor compliance by grant recipients.

(5) The grants shall be prioritized to ensure the maximum number of participants in all shooting sports can be accommodated.

(6) The department of wildlife shall promote the use of publicly owned land for shooting range facilities. The department of natural resources, parks and recreation commission, and Washington military department are encouraged to provide land, facilitate land swaps, and support the development of shooting range facilities.

(7) The department of wildlife shall utilize Pittman Robertson Act funds for the firearms range program. The funds shall equal the total dollars provided to the hunter education program from the one dollar surcharge on hunting licenses as authorized in chapter 77.32 RCW.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 5. The sum of four hundred thousand dollars, or as much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated for the biennium ending June 30, 1991, from the general fund to the firearms range account for the purposes of grants for firearms safety facilities.