Bill Summary – FastDemocracy

Legislative Analysis
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ELIMINATE REQUIREMENT TO FILE IN COUNTY OF
                                                                               http://www.house.mi.gov/hfa
RESIDENCE FOR CONCEALED PISTOL LICENSE
                                                                               Analysis available at
House Bill 4718 (H-3) as reported from committee                               http://www.legislature.mi.gov
Sponsor: Rep. Gary R. Eisen
Committee: Military, Veterans and Homeland Security
Complete to 6-22-21
BRIEF SUMMARY: House Bill 4718 would amend 1927 PA 372, the handgun licensing law, to
     allow individuals to apply for a concealed pistol license (CPL) in any Michigan county.
FISCAL IMPACT: House Bill 4718 would not have a significant net fiscal impact on any unit of state
     or local government, although the potential exists for county clerks to experience increases or
     decreases in revenue from CPL application fees. (More information can be found under Fiscal
     Information, below.)
THE APPARENT PROBLEM:
        According to committee testimony, the wait time to receive a CPL after filing an application
        can vary greatly from county to county, with some reports of waiting up to nine months.
        Additionally, for some individuals, the county clerk’s office in a neighboring county may be
        closer than an office in the individual’s county of residence, making it cumbersome to visit the
        office in the county of residence as is now required. Legislation has been offered to provide
        Michiganders with flexibility when obtaining a CPL.
THE CONTENT OF THE BILL:
        Currently under the act, to obtain a CPL, an individual must apply to the county clerk in the
        county where he or she lives.
        The bill would amend this provision to also allow individuals to file in any county in Michigan,
        unless that clerk does not accept CPL applications from individuals who reside outside that
        county.
        Additionally, under the act, the county clerk is required to notify the licensee that his or her
        license is about to expire. The notification must be sent to the last known address of the licensee
        as shown on the records of the county clerk.
        The bill would require the county clerk that issued the license to notify the licensee. The
        notification would have to be sent to the address of the licensee on file with the secretary of
        state. If there were no address on file with the secretary of state, the notice would be sent to the
        last known address as shown on the records of the county clerk.
        MCL 28.425b and 28.425l
House Fiscal Agency                                                                              Page 1 of 2
FISCAL INFORMATION:
        By allowing individuals to apply for concealed pistol licenses through any county clerk
        (provided that the clerk accepts CPL applications from individuals outside the county), the bill
        may shift application volumes among the counties, as individuals may choose to utilize a
        county clerk outside of their county of residence. Under current law, county clerks retain $26
        of the application fee that license applicants remit. Since this fee is remitted to the clerk
        processing the application, clerks that experience shifts in application volumes would
        experience like shifts in application fee revenue. It is presently unclear whether the additional
        revenue from application fees would sufficiently offset expenditures in counties that see
        increased application volumes. Presumably, county clerks may choose not to accept CPL
        applications from individuals outside the county if expenses for CPL licensing for those
        individuals was not offset entirely by application fees.
ARGUMENTS:
For:
        Supporters of the bill argue that several other tasks can be completed at any county across
        Michigan and are not restricted to the county of an individual’s residence, including getting a
        driver’s license, fingerprints, and even CPL training. This flexibility should also extend to
        obtaining a CPL so Michiganders can choose the option that best fits their needs.
Against:
       No arguments against the bill were presented during committee testimony.
POSITIONS:
        A representative of Michigan Open Carry testified in support of the bill. (6-8-21)
        The Michigan Coalition for Responsible Gun Owners indicated support for the bill. (6-8-21)
        The Michigan State Police indicated a neutral position on the bill. (6-8-21)
                                                           Legislative Analyst: Emily S. Smith
                                                                Fiscal Analyst: Marcus Coffin
■ This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan House Fiscal Agency staff for use by House members in their
deliberations, and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.
House Fiscal Agency                                              HB 4718 (H-3) as reported    Page 2 of 2
Statutes affected: 
House Introduced Bill: 28.425
As Passed by the House: 28.425