WashingtonWashington law ties firearm check fees to patrol costs
Starting June 11, 2026, Washington dealers must collect a cost-based fee for firearm background checks, except for checks involving pawned firearms.
What it does
Dealers must collect a fee from firearm buyers and people receiving firearm transfers for background checks. The fee is tied to patrol costs, with an exception for checks involving pawned firearms.
The patrol checks criminal and other records to decide whether someone may possess a firearm, then tells the dealer whether the transfer is approved, denied, or delayed.
Argument forFees based on the patrol’s program costs could help pay for background checks as those costs change.
Argument againstIf the patrol’s program costs rise, buyers and people receiving firearms could pay a higher fee for a background check.
More detail
The Washington State Patrol must require dealers to charge a fee for firearm background checks. The fee applies to firearm buyers and people receiving firearm transfers through dealers. The fee must reasonably cover the patrol’s direct and indirect program costs. The fee does not apply to checks when a pawnbroker receives a pawned firearm or returns it to its owner. This version takes effect June 11, 2026, and expires May 1, 2027. A second version takes effect May 1, 2027.
The Washington State Patrol must check specified records and tell dealers whether a firearm transfer is approved, denied, or delayed. These duties apply to background checks requested by dealers for firearm sales or transfers. The patrol checks federal and Washington records, including court and health records, and may use other resources as appropriate. If results are unclear, the patrol must tell the dealer about the delay and investigate. A person denied a transfer may appeal and seek correction of mistaken records. The section containing this version expires May 1, 2027; a second version takes effect that day.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Mar 18Effective date 6/11/2026*.Latest
- Mar 18Chapter 100, 2026 Laws.Major
- Mar 18Governor Bob Ferguson signed.Became Law
- Mar 12Delivered to Governor.To Governor
- Mar 12President signed.Passed Senate
- Mar 11Speaker signed.Passed House
- Mar 9Third reading, passed; yeas, 28; nays, 21; absent, 0; excused, 0.Minor
- Vote recorded 3rd Reading & Final Passage (#12). Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 9Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.Minor
- Mar 5Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.Minor
- Mar 2Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.
- Mar 2Minority; do not pass.Minor
- Mar 2WM - Majority; do pass.Minor
- Mar 2Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Ways & Means at 10:30 AM.
- Feb 27Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Ways & Means at 2:30 PM.
- Feb 24First reading, referred to Ways & Means.Minor
- Feb 23Third reading, passed; yeas, 53; nays, 36; absent, 0; excused, 9.Minor
- Vote recorded 3rd Reading & Final Passage (#3). Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 23Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.Minor
- Feb 14Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading.Minor
- Feb 3Referred to Rules 2 Review.Minor
- Jan 29Minority; do not pass.Minor
- Jan 29APP - Majority; do pass.Minor
- Jan 29Executive action taken in the House Committee on Appropriations at 4:00 PM.
- Jan 21Public hearing in the House Committee on Appropriations at 4:00 PM.
- Jan 16First reading, referred to Appropriations.Introduced
Gun Policy