FISCAL NOTE

House Bill 272 as passed the House of Representatives revises certain restrictions regarding the carrying or possession of a pistol, and eliminates the requirement to obtain a pistol permit in order to carry a concealed pistol, which could reduce receipts to the several counties, by an undetermined amount, dependent on the number of individuals that would no longer obtain a concealed carry permit to carry a concealed pistol and the cost of the permit.

This bill could also increase the administrative obligations of the governing bodies of each two and four-year institution of higher learning to adopt policies governing the possession of firearms or other weapons on groups owned or controlled by the institution.

As amended and reported by the Committee on Judiciary, establishes the Local Government Pistol Permit Revenue Loss Fund in the State Treasury to be administered by the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA) and funded by legislative appropriations and grants, gifts, or donations from other sources, to provide grants to local sheriffs pursuant to the requirements of this bill. This would increase the obligations of the State General Fund by an undetermined amount dependent upon: (1) the number of sheriffs providing the required reporting to be established by the Department of Public Accounts pursuant to the provisions of this bill; (2) the revenue received from pistol permit fees for fiscal year 2021; (3) the amount of gifts, grants and donations from other funding sources deposited into the Fund; and (4) the amount appropriated by the Legislature. This bill further provides that the Fund established by this bill shall be repealed three years after the effective date of the bill and any monies remaining in the Fund shall revert to the State General Fund. 

In addition, this bill: (1) requires the Department of Examiners of Public Accounts to establish the minimum accounting requirements for the Office of Sheriff prior to the effective date of this bill, which could increase the obligations of the Department by an undetermined amount, and (2) authorizes ADECA to recover costs associated with implementation and administration of the grant program from the Fund. 

Finally, this bill could presumably increase receipts to county and municipal general funds and other funds to which court costs are deposited, from fines collected pursuant to the provisions of this bill.