House Bill No. 5454, titled "An Act Concerning the Refund of Certain Firearm Permit Fees," proposes changes to the existing firearm permit fee structure and introduces a refund mechanism for applicants. The bill repeals subsections (a) to (e) of section 29-30 of the general statutes and substitutes new provisions effective October 1, 2026. Notably, it stipulates that the local permitting authority must refund $70 of the permit fee if they fail to complete their duties within the established timeframes. This includes situations where the local authority does not act on an application or fails to meet other obligations as outlined in the law. The bill maintains the existing fee structure, which includes a $140 fee for state permits, with $70 retained by the local authority and $70 forwarded to the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection (DESPP).

Additionally, the bill clarifies the responsibilities of local permitting authorities, which include informing applicants of permit decisions within eight weeks and ensuring that required background checks are conducted in a timely manner. The local permitting authority is defined as the chief of police or the chief executive officer of the municipality. The bill aims to enhance accountability among local authorities in the permitting process and ensure that applicants are not unduly penalized for delays caused by the authorities. Overall, the legislation seeks to improve the efficiency and fairness of the firearm permitting process in Connecticut.