AN ACT Relating to funding of firearm range facilities; adding new sections to chapter 77.12 RCW; creating new sections; repealing RCW 77.12.195; and making an appropriation.

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

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. Firearms are collected, used for hunting, recreational shooting, and self-defense, and firearm owners as well as bow users need safe, accessible areas in which to shoot their equipment. Approved shooting ranges provide that opportunity, while at the same time, promote public safety. Interest in all shooting sports has increased while safe locations to shoot have been lost to the pressures of urban growth.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. The firearms range account is hereby created in the state general fund. Any funds remaining in the firearm range account established by RCW 77.12.195, at the time of its repeal by section 6 of this act, shall be transferred to the firearms range account established in this section. Moneys in the account shall be subject to legislative appropriation and shall be used for 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 public and nonprofit firearm range 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 or state government must be registered as a nonprofit or not-for-profit 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. 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.

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.

The interagency committee for outdoor recreation shall adopt rules to implement this act pursuant to chapter 34.05 RCW.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. A new section is added to chapter 77.12 RCW to read as follows:

(1) A ten-member firearms range advisory committee is hereby created to provide advice and counsel to the interagency committee for outdoor recreation. The members shall be appointed by the director of the interagency committee for outdoor recreation from the following groups:

(a) Law enforcement;

(b) Washington military department;

(d) Rifle shooting sports;

(e) Pistol shooting sports;

(f) Shotgun shooting sports;

(g) Archery shooting sports;

(h) Hunter education;

(i) Hunters; and

(j) General public.

(2) The firearms range advisory committee members shall serve two-year terms with five new members being selected each year beginning with the third year of the committee's existence. The firearms range advisory 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 interagency committee for outdoor recreation shall provide administrative, operational, and logistical support for the firearms range advisory committee. Expenses directly incurred for supporting this program may be charged by the interagency committee for outdoor recreation against the firearms range account. Expenses shall not exceed ten percent of the yearly income for the range account.

(4) The interagency committee for outdoor recreation shall in cooperation with the firearms range advisory committee:

(a) Develop an application process;

(b) Develop an audit and accountability program;

(d) Monitor compliance by grant recipients.

(5) The department of natural resources, the department of wildlife, and the Washington military department are encouraged to provide land, facilitate land exchanges, and support the development of shooting range facilities.

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

The interagency committee for outdoor recreation may accept gifts and grants upon such terms as the committee shall deem proper. All monetary gifts and grants shall be deposited in the firearms range account of the general fund.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 5. The interagency committee for outdoor recreation, with advice and counsel from the firearms range advisory committee shall prepare an evaluation of the program and make recommendations to the governor and legislature by December 1, 1991.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 6. Section 9, chapter 263, Laws of 1988 and RCW 77.12.195 are each repealed.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 7. The sum of four hundred fifty thousand dollars, or as much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated for the biennium ending June 30, 1991, from the firearms range account of the general fund to the interagency committee for outdoor recreation for the purposes of providing grants for firearms range facilities.