House approves changes to background-check fee authority for Washington State Patrol, HB 2521

The Washington House approved House Bill 2521, which revises the statutory framework for the firearms background check program administered by the Washington State Patrol (WSP). Sponsors and opponents debated multiple floor amendments addressing fee caps and constitutional concerns; two amendments were rejected and the bill passed by recorded vote, 53 yeas to 36 nays with 9 excused.

Representative Couture, who introduced Amendment 1979, said the amendment sought to raise the statutory cap from $18 to $33 so the patrol could receive sufficient funds to administer the program while preserving the legislature's authority to set fees. "If the state patrol says we need $15 to be able to properly administer the background check program, what this amendment does is it sets a new cap to $33 from 18, giving them that new $15," Couture said.

Representative Macri urged members to vote against the amendment, saying fees should cover program costs but warning that fee increases require caution; Amendment 1979 was not adopted. Representative Walsh later argued an amendment to set fees at zero was constitutionally necessary, calling fees on constitutionally protected rights equivalent to a poll tax; that amendment also failed.

Other members framed the debate as a balance between ensuring the patrol can pay for timely background checks and protecting citizens from burdens that could limit access to constitutional rights. The bill was advanced under suspension of rules to third reading and final passage before the recorded vote was taken. The clerk recorded final passage as 53 yeas, 36 nays and 9 excused.

Floor debate included both technical and constitutional arguments; the bill as passed gives the patrol more flexibility to set fees within the new statutory framework.