BILL ANALYSIS Ó SENATE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS Senator Ricardo Lara, Chair 2015 - 2016 Regular Session SB 678 (Hill) - User-authorized firearms ----------------------------------------------------------------- | | | | | | ----------------------------------------------------------------- |--------------------------------+--------------------------------| | | | |Version: April 20, 2015 |Policy Vote: PUB. S. 5 - 2 | | | | |--------------------------------+--------------------------------| | | | |Urgency: No |Mandate: No | | | | |--------------------------------+--------------------------------| | | | |Hearing Date: May 11, 2015 |Consultant: Jolie Onodera | | | | ----------------------------------------------------------------- This bill meets the criteria for referral to the Suspense File. Bill Summary: SB 678 would require the Department of Justice (DOJ) to convene a workgroup and prepare a report to the Legislature on user-authorized firearms, as specified. Fiscal Impact: One-time costs to DOJ potentially in excess of $250,000 (General Fund) to convene the workgroup, compile, and submit the mandated report. Background: The development of user-authorized handguns or "smart guns" is currently under way both nationally and abroad. Researchers are seeking to develop features to prevent unauthorized or accidental use by any person other than an authorized user through various means such as biometric recognition technology, which is used to verify a person's identity in order to prevent SB 678 (Hill) Page 1 of ? unauthorized access. Legislative efforts promoting user-authorized handguns have been pursued over many years in several states, as well as in Congress. In 2002, New Jersey became the first state to enact "smart gun" legislation that would eventually require new handguns to contain a mechanism that would allow only their owners to fire them. Proposed Law: This bill would require the DOJ to do the following: (1)Survey the state of the current user-authorized firearm industry. (2)Assess market conditions and the barriers to the market for user-authorized firearms in the state. (3)Investigate methods to increase the availability and use of user-authorized firearms in the state. (4)Make recommendations on manufacturer performance and reliability standards and how those standards should be tested for user-authorized firearms. This bill would require the DOJ to convene a working group, with specified representatives, in 2016 to provide recommendations on requirements (1) through (4) noted above. This bill requires the DOJ to report its findings to the Legislature on or before January 1, 2017. Prior Legislation: SB 293 (DeSaulnier) 2013 would have defined owner-authorized handguns (or "smart guns") and provided that if and when two owner-authorized handguns are placed on the DOJ roster of not unsafe handguns, two years from the date the second handgun was placed on the roster, DOJ shall not place a handgun on the roster that is not an owner-authorized handgun. This bill was held on the Suspense File of the Assembly Committee on Appropriations. SB 697 (DeSaulnier) 2009 was substantially similar to SB 293. This bill was referred to but not heard in the Senate Committee on Public Safety. AB 2235 (DeSaulnier) 2008 was substantially similar to SB 293. SB 678 (Hill) Page 2 of ? This bill was held on the Suspense File of this committee. -- END --