New from Olympia: House Bill 2020

HB 2020 - 2013-14
Text. (.pdf)
Key excerpts:

9 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
10 NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The legislature recognizes that the people
11 of Washington state have reserved to themselves the individual right to
12 bear arms in Article I, section 24, of the Washington state
13 Constitution, which reads, "The right of the individual citizen to bear
14 arms in defense of himself, or the state, shall not be
15 impaired . . . ." The legislature finds that both the right to bear
16 arms and the safety and well-being of law-abiding citizens who possess
17 firearms are at serious risk if the people cannot obtain ammunition for
18 their firearms. A reliable, adequate, and ongoing source of ammunition
19 is an indivisible and essential part of the right to bear arms. The

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1 people of Washington state who need small arms ammunition are almost
2 completely dependent upon a very limited number of manufacturers of
3 smokeless propellant, small arms primers, cartridge cases, and small
4 arms ammunition that are located in other states. The legislature also
5 recognizes that the availability of firearm parts and accessories are
6 also necessary in order for the people to more effectively exercise
7 their right to bear arms. The legislature intends by this act to
8 encourage the manufacture of smokeless propellant, small arms primers,
9 cartridge cases, and small arms ammunition and firearm parts and
10 accessories within the borders of Washington state to ensure a
11 dependable, sufficient, and continuous availability of ammunition
12 components, and firearms ammunition, parts, and accessories, for the
13 people of Washington, and to expand economic development and create
14 jobs within Washington state.

Skipping a bit:

24 NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. (1) A manufacturer of firearms ammunition,
25 parts, or accessories that meets the conditions in subsection (2) of
26 this section is exempt from:
27 (a) The business and occupation tax imposed under chapter 82.04
28 RCW, as provided in section 6 of this act;
29 (b) Property taxes imposed under Title 84 RCW, as provided in
30 section 8 of this act; and
31 (c) Business license fees, as provided in sections 9 through 11 of
32 this act.
33 (2) A manufacturer of firearm ammunition, parts, or accessories is
34 exempt from taxation and fees as provided under subsection (1) of this
35 section if the manufacturer meets the following conditions:
36 (a) The products of the manufacturer are and remain available to
37 commercial and individual consumers in the state;

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1 (b) The manufacturer sells its products to in-state commercial and
2 individual consumers for a price no greater than that for out-of-state
3 purchasers, including any products that leave the state regardless of
4 destination or purchaser; and
5 (c) The manufacturer does not enter into any agreement or contract
6 that could actually or potentially require or commit all of its
7 production to out-of-state consumers, or interfere with or prohibit
8 sales or the provision of its products to in-state consumers.

Washington state exempting an entire industry from B&O and property taxes?  Wow.  Just wow.

I guess someone in Olympia thinks we have a shot at luring Magpul here.  And Colt.  And Beretta.  And...

I need to sit down...

Seen at Bill aims to attract more gun makers, ammunition factories to Washington - In the Legislature - The Olympian - Olympia, Washington news, weather and sports