SENATE CONCURRENT MEMORIAL 1001

A CONCURRENT MEMORIAL

urging the congress of the united states to examine the distribution of excise tax revenues collected from firearms and ammunition sales under the pittman-robertson act.

(TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)

To the Congress of the United States:

Your memorialist respectfully represents:

Whereas, the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act, also known as the Pittman-Robertson Act, provides for the distribution of excise tax revenues collected from the sale of firearms and ammunition. Currently, the distribution of these funds is based on a formula that combines the geographic area of each state with the number of hunting licenses annually issued in that state; and

Whereas, the distribution of Pittman-Robertson funds is allocated based on a state’s per capita percentage of hunters nationwide. In fiscal year 1999, Arizona received $573,719 in hunter education federal funds and $3,304,386 in wildlife restoration monies; and

Whereas, not only do hunters in this state pay the federal excise tax on firearms and ammunition, but other nonhunting recreational firearms owners pay this tax as well. However, the federal distribution back to the states is based on the number of hunting licenses issued in the respective states and does not take into consideration the taxes paid by nonhunting individuals; and

Whereas, the current distribution formula may be preventing this state from receiving its fair share of Pittman-Robertson funds due to the large number of nonhunting firearms owners in this state.

Wherefore your memorialist, the Senate of the State of Arizona, the House of Representatives concurring, prays:

1. That the Congress of the United States reconsider the formula currently used in the distribution of funds under the Pittman-Robertson Act to ensure the equitable distribution of funds in the future.

2. That the Secretary of State of the State of Arizona transmit copies of this Memorial to the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives and each Member of Congress from the State of Arizona.

PASSED THE HOUSE MARCH 21, 2000.

PASSED THE SENATE FEBRUARY 9, 2000.

FILED IN THE OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE MARCH 23, 2000.