NOTE: As provided in LFC policy, this report is intended only for use by the standing finance committees of the legislature.  The Legislative Finance Committee does not assume responsibility for the accuracy of the information in this report when used for other purposes.

The most recent FIR version (in HTML & Adobe PDF formats) is available on the Legislative Website. The Adobe PDF version includes all attachments, whereas the HTML version does not. Previously issued FIRs and attachments may be obtained from the LFC in Suite 101 of the State Capitol Building North.

F I S C A L I M P A C T R E P O R T

SPONSOR:	Robinson		DATE TYPED:	03/05/03		HB
SHORT TITLE:		Peace Officers With Unclaimed Property				SB	768
					ANALYST:		Fox-Young

APPROPRIATION

Appropriation Contained		Estimated Additional Impact		Recurring or Non-Rec	Fund Affected
FY03	FY04	FY03	FY04
	NFI

(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

Responses Received From

Attorney General (AG)

Corrections Department (CD)

Department of Public Safety (DPS)

SUMMARY

Synopsis of Bill

Senate Bill 768 amends 29-1-14, eliminating the requirement that unclaimed firearms in the possession of a state, county or municipal law enforcement officer be sold only to licensed dealers or collectors, as defined in the Federal Gun Control Act of 1968.

The bill also makes technical changes to the statute.

Significant Issues

The Attorney General (AG) notes that the bill does not require law enforcement officers to conduct background checks prior to the sale of firearms.

The Department of Public Safety (DPS) makes the following statement: “In our view, the selling of firearms to the public, which were originally obtained pursuant to law enforcement operational activities, is contrary to sound public policy.”

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

DPS notes that the vast majority of seized, forfeited, and unclaimed firearms have relatively low values and are generally not sold by law enforcement.

JCF/yr