<p class=ldtitle>A BILL to amend and reenact § 18.2-308.03 of the Code of Virginia, relating to concealed handgun permit fees.</p>
Summary
HB692 would amend Virginia law governing concealed handgun permit fees by reducing the maximum total amount that may be charged for processing an application from $50 to $25. The bill lowers the local law-enforcement agency background investigation fee cap from $35 to $10, while leaving the clerk’s fee at $10 and the State Police fee cap at $5. It also preserves the rule that payment is due only when a complete application is received and that the FBI-records-related amount is included within the local agency fee cap.
The bill also expands and clarifies fee waivers for certain retired public safety and law-enforcement personnel. Under the proposal, no permit fee would be charged to specified retired magistrates, Virginia and federal law-enforcement officers, Coast Guard boarding personnel, correctional officers, and probation and parole officers who meet service-length or age requirements. These exemptions are intended to reduce costs for qualifying applicants with prior public safety service.
Impact
HB692 would directly amend § 18.2-308.03 of the Code of Virginia, changing the statutory fee structure for concealed handgun permits and reducing the maximum amount applicants may be charged statewide. It would affect circuit court clerks, local law-enforcement agencies that conduct background investigations, and the Virginia State Police by limiting the fees each may collect. It would also broaden the class of applicants eligible for a fee waiver, reducing or eliminating permit costs for certain retired law-enforcement, corrections, probation, and related personnel.
Sentiment
The available legislative history suggests mixed to unfavorable momentum for the bill. A subcommittee vote recommended laying the bill on the table by a 7-3 vote, and the bill was later left in the House Public Safety Committee. That procedural outcome indicates limited support in committee, even though the bill’s text reflects a policy goal of lowering permit costs and recognizing retired public safety service.
Contention
The main points of contention are likely the reduction in permit-related revenue for local agencies and the State Police, and the broader policy debate over concealed handgun permit fees and exemptions. Supporters would likely emphasize affordability and honoring retired law-enforcement and public safety personnel, while opponents may object to shifting administrative costs onto agencies or to expanding fee waivers. The committee vote and tabling recommendation suggest the fee reduction and exemption expansion were not broadly accepted by the subcommittee.