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LEGISLATIVE FISCAL OFFICE
Date: Dept./Agy.:
Fiscal Note On: HB 102 4 HLS 16RS
IVEYAuthor:
Subject:
Department of Public Safety & Corrections Repeals Requirements for Concealed Carry Permits April 13, 2016 8:32 AM
ORIGINALBill Text Version: Opp. Chamb. Action: Proposed Amd.: Sub. Bill For.:
Analyst: Zachary Rau
Drafter
LFO
Fiscal Note
Present constitution provides that the right of each citizen to keep and bear arms is fundamental and shall not be infringed. Present constitution further provides that any restriction of this right shall be subject to a standard of strict scrutiny by a court in determining its constitutionality.
Proposed constitutional amendment retains these provisions of the present constitution and further provides that the right to keep and bear arms includes the right to possess a concealed handgun without any form of permit or license, unless the person is prohibited from possessing a firearm under the laws of LA or the laws of the United States.
Provides for submission of the proposed amendment to the voters at the statewide election to be held Nov. 8, 2016.
There is no anticipated direct material effect on governmental expenditures as a result of this measure. This bill will add a constitutional amendment to be considered by voters at the statewide election held on November 8, 2016. The Secretary of State may incur minimal ballot printing costs associated with this measure. As a regular practice, the Secretary of State typically budgets for up to 10 constitutional amendments and statewide propositions for the fall statewide elections. To the extent the ballot includes more than 10 constitutional amendments and statewide propositions, the Secretary of State may require additional SGF resources for the November 8, 2016 statewide election.
HB 4 is the constitutional companion bill to HB 6, which provides statutory provisions clarifying the practical intent of HB 4. If enacted, the proposed constitutional amendment would allow state citizens to possess a concealed handgun without obtaining a permit. As a result of the citizenry’s ability to posses concealed handguns without a permit, concealed permits would no longer be needed. Thus, the Concealed Handgun Permit Unit would not have to fund all functions related to handgun permits and expenses regarding the unit would decrease. For reference, the Concealed Handgun Permit Unit has a FY 16 appropriation of approximately $827,000 funded by the statutorily dedicated Concealed Handgun Permit Fund, which receives revenues via fees charged for concealed handgun permits. (Expenditure Explanation cont. on Pg. 2)
If approved by voters during the November 8, 2016 presidential election, the proposed constitutional amendment will result in an indeterminable decrease in revenues for the statutorily dedicated Concealed Handgun Permit Fund as a result of state citizens’ right to possess a conceal handgun without obtaining a permit. Currently, the Office of State Police collects $125 for a 5-year concealed handgun permit and $500 for a lifetime concealed handgun permit. In FY 15, the department issued 15,729 5-year permits and 2,640 lifetime permits, which resulted in $2,268,213 in revenue. To the extent the constitutional amendment is approved by the voters, the fund would not receive these revenues. REVENUE EXPLANATION
EXPENDITURE EXPLANATION
(Constitutional Amendment) Provides that the right to keep and bear arms includes the right to carry a concealed handgun without a permit or license WEAPONS/FIREARMS
EXPENDITURES State Gen. Fd. Agy. Self-Gen. Ded./Other Federal Funds Local Funds Annual Total