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Committee approves bill blocking stricter local rules for shooting ranges
Summary
A Senate committee voted to bar counties, cities and towns from imposing zoning or permit conditions on shooting ranges that are more stringent than state law; sponsor said the bill prevents targeted local restrictions that frustrate facility improvements.
A state Senate committee on Thursday approved legislation that would prevent local governments from imposing zoning or permitting requirements on shooting ranges that are more stringent than state law.
Jim Toms, who presented the bill, told the committee some local governments have used zoning and permit conditions to make it difficult for long-standing ranges to upgrade facilities or expand. "Sometimes they want to use this method to cause some grief or frustration," Toms said, summarizing the bill’s purpose.
Senators asked whether existing variances or conditions would be grandfathered and whether the bill would undermine comprehensive local planning. Toms said the bill applies prospectively and retrospectively to prevent targeted obstacles for established ranges but that he would work on second-reading amendments to clarify the treatment of new ranges and density-based restrictions.
Concerns were raised about local control and whether state preemption would inappropriately override comprehensive plans; supporters said the measure is narrowly targeted at preventing singling out of shooting-range businesses for regulatory burdens. The committee moved the bill and approved it by roll call (recorded as "passes 6 to 2").
The sponsor indicated willingness to accept technical language changes on second reading to address local planning and new-establishment questions.
Action: Bill advanced by committee (vote 6-2).
