Assembly Bill 531 establishes a Safe Firearm Disposal Incentive Grant Program, which will be administered by the Department of Justice. The bill allocates $200,000 annually for grants to counties or law enforcement agencies that implement programs aimed at safely disposing of firearms. To qualify for these grants, applicants must propose and manage a plan that includes advertising the program, utilizing law enforcement personnel, and ensuring proper handling and destruction of firearms. The bill also mandates that grant recipients submit reports detailing the firearms received and destroyed, along with recommendations for program improvements.

Additionally, the bill creates a new section in the statutes, specifically 165.985, which outlines the eligibility criteria and operational requirements for the grant program. It includes provisions for safeguarding against fraud and ensuring that any payments made for firearms do not allow for the purchase of additional firearms or ammunition. The Department of Justice is required to report to the legislature by July 1, 2028, on the program's effectiveness and the number of firearms disposed of through the initiative. The bill also increases funding for grant administration by adding a grant specialist and policy program analyst position to support the program's implementation.