Hb4715: Law Or Not?

The topic of whether HB4715 became law is dependent on the location in question. In Illinois, HB4715 was passed into law in June 2022, recognising interior design as a distinct profession. However, in Michigan, HB4715, which aimed to prohibit felons from possessing ammunition, was passed by the House in 2014 but there is no indication that it became law. In West Virginia, HB4715 was passed in March 2020, granting certain fire department employees limited powers of arrest.

HB4715 and the Illinois Firearm Registration Act

Illinois State Representative Kelly M. Cassidy introduced the HB4715 bill, also known as the Firearms Registration Act, on February 5, 2014. The bill aimed to require all firearm owners in the state to register their weapons and ammunition. This would include not only new purchases but also firearms already owned by Illinois residents.

Provisions of HB4715

According to the bill, every person in Illinois must register each firearm they own or possess. It also targets ammunition ownership and purchases. Illinois residents would be required to show proof of firearm registration before buying ammunition. The bill states that:

> "A person shall not purchase or possess ammunition within this State without having first obtained a registration certificate identifying a firearm that is suitable for use with that ammunition, or a receipt demonstrating that the person has applied to register a suitable firearm under the Act and that the application is pending."

Furthermore, the bill proposes that the Illinois State Police must conduct a background check on any person applying for a registration certificate for a firearm. It also provides exceptions and amends the Criminal Code of 2012.

Failure to Comply with HB4715

Failure to comply with the provisions of HB4715 would result in a Class 2 felony charge. In Illinois, the penalty for a Class 2 felony can be up to seven years in prison and a fine of up to $200,000.

Status of HB4715

As of my last update in June 2023, the most recent information I can find on the status of HB4715 is from 2013-2014, when it was introduced but failed to pass.

Unrelated Bills Also Designated HB4715

It is important to note that there have been other, unrelated bills also designated HB4715 in Illinois. These include bills amending acts such as the Illinois Aeronautics Act, the Registered Interior Designers Act, the Environmental Protection Act, the Firearm Concealed Carry Act, and the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act. These bills were introduced in different years and have varying statuses, including passed, failed, and dead.

HB4715 and interior design

The Illinois HB4715 is a bill that recognises interior design as a distinct profession in the built environment and acknowledges the crucial role professional interior designers play in protecting occupant health, safety, and well-being. The bill was introduced and sponsored by Representative Margaret Croke (D) in the House of Representatives and by Senator Laura Fine (D) in the Senate.

The bill amends the Registered Interior Designers Act, defining terms and outlining the conditions under which individuals can be registered as interior designers. It also establishes the requirement for registered interior designers to have a reproducible seal and outlines the process for submitting interior technical submissions. Additionally, it sets out the education and work experience requirements for registration and the continuing education requirements for renewal or reinstatement of registration.

The Legislative Process

HB4715 was introduced in the House of Representatives by Representative Margaret Croke on January 21, 2022. It was then referred to the Rules Committee and subsequently assigned to the Small Business, Tech Innovation, and Entrepreneurship Committee. The bill passed the House on March 3, 2022, with amendments, and was then sent to the Senate. In the Senate, it was referred to the Assignments Committee and then to the Licensed Activities Committee. The Senate passed the bill with amendments on March 31, 2022, and it was then sent back to the House, which concurred with the Senate amendments on April 28, 2022. The bill was then sent to the Governor, who signed it into law on June 10, 2022, with an effective date of January 1, 2023.

HB4715 and Michigan's Penal Code

The HB4715, sponsored by Representative Kurt Heise, is a bill that amends the Michigan Penal Code. The bill was passed by the House and aims to prohibit individuals convicted of a felony or a specified felony from possessing, using, transporting, selling, carrying, shipping, or distributing ammunition. This restriction would be in place for three to five years, depending on the type of felony committed.

The bill defines "felony" as a violation of state, another state's, or federal law that carries a minimum punishment of four years' imprisonment. It also outlines a "specified felony" as a felony involving at least one of the following circumstances:

• Use, attempted use, or threatened use of physical force against an individual or their property
• Unlawful manufacture, possession, importation, exportation, distribution, or dispensing of a controlled substance
• Unlawful possession or distribution of a firearm
• Unlawful use of explosives
• Burglary, breaking, and entering of an occupied dwelling, or arson

The proposed legislation also prescribes a felony penalty for violating the prohibition on ammunition possession by felons. This felony charge carries a sentence of up to five years' imprisonment and/or a maximum fine of $5,000. The bill further clarifies that each instance of possessing, using, transporting, selling, carrying, shipping, or distributing ammunition is considered a separate offense.

In addition to the changes to the Penal Code, the HB4715 also amends the handgun licensure law. This amendment allows individuals who have been prohibited from possessing ammunition due to a felony conviction to apply for restoration of their rights. The process involves submitting an application to the concealed weapons licensing board in their county of residence. The board is responsible for reviewing the application and determining if the individual's record and reputation indicate that they are unlikely to act in a manner dangerous to others. Additionally, the individual must have fulfilled certain criteria, including paying fines, serving prison sentences, and completing probation or parole. If the board refuses to restore the individual's rights, they can petition the circuit court for a review of the decision.

HB4715 and West Virginia's fire department employees' powers of arrest

The West Virginia Legislature passed the House Bill 4715 (HB4715) on March 7, 2020, which came into effect 90 days after its passage. The bill amended and re-enacted Sections 8-14-3 and 8-15-1 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, which relate to the powers of law enforcement officials, policemen, and fire department employees.

The bill authorizes municipalities to grant certain fire department employees limited powers of arrest in relation to their duties and sets the limits of their power to arrest. It also allows designated fire department employees to file complaints with appropriate courts. Additionally, the bill mandates initial and annual training for designated fire department employees, as established by the State Fire Commission and the State Fire Marshal.

The powers granted to fire department employees by HB4715 include the ability to:

• Arrest any individual disobeying lawful orders at the scene of a fire.
• Arrest any individual who violates prohibitions against arson and explosives offenses, malicious burning, obstructing a fire marshal, or failing to obey lawful orders.
• Arrest without a warrant if the unlawful conduct occurs in their presence.
• File criminal complaints with the municipal court or other appropriate judicial officer to obtain an arrest warrant and initiate a criminal matter.

HB4715 and felons' possession of ammunition

Summary

The HB4715 bill, sponsored by Representative Kurt Heise, amends the Michigan Penal Code to prohibit felons from possessing ammunition. This bill was passed by the House and signed into law by Governor J.B. Pritzker on June 10, 2022.

Details of HB4715

The bill amends the Michigan Penal Code to prohibit a person convicted of a felony or a specified felony from possessing, using, transporting, selling, carrying, shipping, or distributing ammunition. The prohibition would be in effect for three years or five years, depending on the type of felony, after the convicted person has fulfilled certain criteria. These criteria include paying all fines, serving all terms of imprisonment, and completing all conditions of probation or parole.

The bill also prescribes a felony penalty for violating the prohibition and specifies that a single criminal transaction involving ammunition would constitute one offense.

Related Bills

House Bill 4716 (H-1) amends the Code of Criminal Procedure to include the felony penalty proposed by House Bill 4715 in the sentencing guidelines.

House Bill 4717 (H-1) amends the handgun licensure law to provide for the restoration of the rights of a person to possess, use, transport, sell, carry, ship, or distribute ammunition if they had been previously prohibited from doing so under the Penal Code.

The passage of HB4715 and its associated bills seeks to restrict the access of felons to ammunition and firearms in Michigan. This legislation is intended to enhance public safety and reduce the risk of gun violence by individuals with a criminal history.

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