05/03/2006 08:30 AM House FINANCE

CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 274(STA)                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
     "An Act relating to the disposition of forfeited,                                                                          
     surplus, and unclaimed firearms by the state."                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR FRED  DYSON explained  that the  bill makes  it clear                                                                   
how the  state disposes of firearms.   It clarifies  that the                                                                   
state has no  additional liability for selling  a firearm and                                                                   
cannot destroy  weapons in the  manner that has been  done in                                                                   
the past.   Guns that are  illegal for the general  public to                                                                   
own are legal for  a Class III dealer to own.   The state can                                                                   
continue to donate guns to museums  and shooting clubs.  When                                                                   
there  is no  serial  number the  guns  are disassembled  and                                                                   
parts can  be made available.   A constituent who had  a non-                                                                   
competitive   bid  experience  requested   the  bill.     The                                                                   
Department   of  Public   Safety   and   the  Department   of                                                                   
Administration are in agreement with the bill.                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
Co-Chair Meyer asked if more money  would be made as a result                                                                   
of this bill.  Senator Dyson replied yes.                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
9:30:42 AM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Representative  Foster  spoke  in  favor  of the  bill.    He                                                                   
related a personal experience with losing valuable guns.                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
Representative  Hawker  thanked  the sponsor.    He  provided                                                                   
history of  a lawsuit  that determined  the state was  losing                                                                   
money.  He spoke in favor of the bill.                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
Representative  Joule  asked if  background  checks would  be                                                                   
conducted.  Senator Dyson said absolutely.                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
9:32:35 AM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Representative Hawker  MOVED to ADOPT Conceptual  Amendment 1                                                                   
to add "municipalities" following  "state" in every instance.                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
Representative Stoltze OBJECTED for purposes of discussion.                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
Representative Hawker  explained that the  amendment empowers                                                                   
municipalities  with  the  same  power  and  responsibilities                                                                   
provided to  the state.   It addresses  legal protection  and                                                                   
allows   indemnity  of   the  municipality   so  it   is  not                                                                   
discouraged from participating in the actions of this bill.                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
Senator  Dyson asked  if "municipalities"  includes  boroughs                                                                   
and  cities.    Representative  Hawker replied  that  is  the                                                                   
generic  term  used  in  statute.     Representative  Stoltze                                                                   
suggested the  term "political subdivisions".   Senator Dyson                                                                   
suggested that the  drafters come up with wording  to include                                                                   
all classes of cities and municipalities.                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
Representative   Hawker  stated  that   the  intent   of  the                                                                   
amendment is  to include all  public entities,  boroughs, and                                                                   
all classes of cities and municipalities.                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
Representative Stoltze  WITHDREW his OBJECTION.   There being                                                                   
NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered.                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
Representative Hawker read the  definition of "municipality",                                                                   
which seemed to satisfy the intent of the bill.                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
9:37:26 AM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Representative  Foster MOVED  to  REPORT CSSB  274 (STA),  as                                                                   
amended,  out of  Committee with  individual  recommendations                                                                   
and  the   accompanying  fiscal   notes.    There   being  NO                                                                   
OBJECTION, it was so ordered.                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
HCSSB  274 (FIN) was  REPORTED  out of Committee  with  a "do                                                                   
pass"  recommendation   and  with  fiscal  note   #1  by  the                                                                   
Department of Administration and  with zero fiscal note #2 by                                                                   
the Department of Public Safety.                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
9:38:10 AM