This bill amends existing laws regarding the firearms background check program in Washington State, specifically RCW 43.43.580. It establishes a centralized system managed by the Washington State Patrol (WSP) for conducting background checks on individuals seeking to purchase or transfer firearms. Key features of the program include a web portal for dealers to request checks, automated responses regarding the status of applications, and measures to ensure data integrity and confidentiality. The WSP is also tasked with conducting comprehensive checks against various databases to determine an applicant's eligibility and must notify dealers promptly about the results of these checks.

Additionally, the bill introduces a new fee structure for background checks, which must be set to cover the direct and indirect costs incurred by the WSP, replacing the previous cap of eighteen dollars. It also establishes an appeals process for individuals denied a transfer due to background check results and mandates the WSP to report annually on the average time taken for background check decisions. The bill includes provisions for the program's expiration on May 1, 2027, and specifies that the new section will take effect on the same date.

Statutes affected:
Original bill: 43.43.580, 9.41.010