CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 319(FIN) "An Act relating to firearms; and providing for an effective date." REPRESENTATIVE MIKE HAWKER, SPONSOR, reported on HB 319. He termed it a housekeeping bill. Its purpose is to protect Alaskan's citizens' rights to own and possess firearms. He acknowledged Senator Coghill's participation in the legislation. He explained the concealed handgun carry permit. The bill clarifies that a permit does not have to be surrendered when it expires or when a permit holder moves out of the state. It also clarifies that an expired permit can be displayed as long as the permit holder is not claiming that it is a valid permit. 10:40:29 AM Representative Hawker continued to explain that HB 319 requires the Department of Public Safety to mail a notice to the permit holder at least 90 days prior to the expiration of a permit. It also allows the Department of Public Safety to use electronic applications and post the regulations and statutes on its website, instead of providing paper copies. 10:42:09 AM Representative Hawker related that the bill also requires the chief law enforcement officer (CLEO) in Alaska jurisdictions to complete, in a timely manner, the required certification on an application to the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (BATFE) for approval to transfer a firearm registered under the National Firearms Act (NFA) of 1934 to a person who is qualified under state law to possess the firearm. The CLEO certification is a mandatory step in the BATFE transfer process and unjustified delays in processing or refusal to cooperate compromise Second Amendment rights. 10:45:35 AM Representative Hawker read the CLEO certification: I have no information indicating the transferee will use the firearm or device described in this application for other than lawful purposes. I have no information that the receipt or possession of the firearm or device described in this document would place the transferee in violation of a state or local law. Representative Hawker voiced concern about a CLEO officer abusing the transfer process. The bill would place a duty upon CLEO's to execute the forms. Execute means exercising judgment, in this case. He stressed that the legislation is important to improving rights for citizens. 10:48:19 AM Co-Chair Stedman noted two zero fiscal notes, one from the Department of Public Safety and one from the Department of Law. DAN BOONE, JUNEAU, testified in support of HB 319. He shared his experience with a CLEO not signing an application, therefore putting a heavy burden on beneficiaries of an estate. He also shared his thoughts from the perspective of a small firearms business. He spoke strongly in favor of the legislation. 10:51:53 AM KATHY MONFREDA, CHIEF, CRIMINAL RECORDS AND IDENTIFICATION BUREAU, DIVISION OF STATEWIDE SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY (via teleconference), stated support for the bill. However, she cautioned that the measure could jeopardize reciprocity with other states. Senator Huggins reported hearing a lot of concern about the subject. He recalled Representative Foster's favorable opinion of this type of legislation. Representative Hawker addressed the Department of Public Safety's concern about reciprocity. He reported that conversations with other states have shown that there is not a problem. He believed the core issue was state residency. To have a concealed weapon permit, a person is not mandated to be an Alaska state resident. A person must be a state resident to acquire the license in Alaska and can maintain it when moving around the country. In particular, he mentioned Colorado as a state about which there had been department concerns. He stated that he had no anxiety about reciprocity. HB 319 was heard and HELD in Committee for further consideration.