This bill creates a new section in chapter 43.43 RCW that requires the Washington State Patrol firearms background check program to establish a process to reimburse background check fees charged under RCW 43.43.580 that were collected during the period when the SAFE system could not access the Administrative Office of the Courts data system in November 2024. Reimbursements must be available to individual applicants who paid fees for a firearm purchase or transfer during that period and to licensed firearms dealers who document that they covered those fees for applicants. The bill includes definitions for SAFE, the AOC data system, the WSP firearms background check program, the background check fees under RCW 43.43.580, and the state firearms background check system account created in RCW 43.43.590, and it states legislative findings that the outage caused inconvenience and likely economic loss and that refunds should be provided. The WSP may provide reimbursements from funds in the state firearms background check system account (RCW 43.43.590). This is an administrative/procedural legal change (establishing a reimbursement program and adding a new statutory section), not a criminal or penalty change. The bill does not specify procedural details such as how to apply, required documentation beyond allowing dealer documentation, timelines or deadlines for claims, the exact amount or portion of fees to be reimbursed, whether alternative funding sources may be used if the referenced account lacks funds, or any enforcement, oversight, or audit procedures. The bill is House Bill H-1021.1 / 1776 (69th Legislature, 2025 Regular Session), was first read 02/03/25, referred to the Committee on Appropriations, and is sponsored by Representatives Volz and Schmidt.

If enacted, the Washington State Patrol will have to set up a claims process and reimburse people who paid background check fees and licensed dealers who documented they covered those fees during the November 2024 SAFE system outage. Those refunds can be paid from the state firearms background check system account, so affected purchasers and dealers are likely to recover at least some or all out-of-pocket costs tied to that outage. The agency will take on the administrative work and the state account may be reduced to cover reimbursements, shifting costs from individuals and dealers to that fund; dealers who advanced fees can get repaid if they provide documentation. Key details are missing: the bill does not say how much will be refunded, how or when to apply, what proof is required beyond a dealer’s documentation, or what happens if the designated account lacks sufficient funds, so the timing and completeness of refunds are uncertain.