Firearm check fee refunds

AN ACT Relating to establishing the firearm fee liability and 1
refund act; adding a new section to chapter 43.43 RCW; and creating a 2
new section. 3
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:4
NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The legislature finds that the 5
unavailability of the secure automated firearms e-check (SAFE) 6
background check system for firearm transfers in November 2024 7
resulted in inconvenience and likely significant economic loss to 8
firearms purchasers and licensed firearms dealers in Washington 9
state, in addition to the possible denial of legal firearms purchases 10
or transfers to Washington residents. The legislature further finds 11
that a refund of background check fees should be provided to firearms 12
purchasers, and to licensed firearms dealers who covered the costs of 13
background check fees for purchasers, for fees collected during the 14
time period the SAFE background check system was unable to access the 15
administrative office of the courts data system for the purpose of 16
completing background checks during November 2024.17
NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. A new section is added to chapter 43.43 18
RCW to read as follows: 19
H-1021.1
HOUSE BILL 1776
State of Washington 69th Legislature 2025 Regular Session
By Representatives Volz and Schmidt
Read first time 02/03/25. Referred to Committee on Appropriations.
p. 1 HB 1776
The Washington state patrol firearms background check program 1
shall provide reimbursement of firearm background check fees charged 2
under RCW 43.43.580 during the period that the secure automated 3
firearms e-check (SAFE) background check system was unable to access 4
the administrative office of the courts data system for the purpose 5
of completing background checks during the month of November 2024. 6
The Washington state patrol firearms background check program shall 7
establish a process to provide reimbursement to: Any applicant for 8
the purchase or transfer of a firearm who paid background check fees 9
during this time period; and any licensed firearms dealer who 10
provides documentation that the dealer covered the cost of background 11
check fees for applicants applying for the purchase or transfer of a 12
firearm during this time period. The Washington state patrol firearms 13
background check program may provide reimbursement from funds in the 14
state firearms background check system account created in RCW 15
43.43.590. 16
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p. 2 HB 1776