HB 2632
SignedHouse
Noncitizen terminology
Modernizing terminology when referring to individuals who are not citizens or nationals of the United States.
How does a bill become law?
- Introduced: The bill is filed and assigned a number.
- Committee: A subject-matter committee holds hearings, takes public testimony, and decides whether to advance the bill.
- Floor Vote: The full chamber (House or Senate) debates and votes on the bill.
- Opposite Chamber: The bill repeats the committee and floor vote process in the other chamber.
- Governor: The Governor reviews the bill and decides whether to sign or veto it.
- Signed: The bill has been signed into law.
AI Analysis
This bill modernizes state law by replacing the term 'alien' with 'noncitizen' across numerous statutes to use more neutral and respectful language when referring to individuals who are not U.S. citizens or nationals. It also updates related licensing and application procedures for firearms and other government services to reflect this terminology change.
- Creates a new statutory definition of 'noncitizen' as an individual who is not a citizen or national of the United States.
- Requires all state and local government statutes, codes, rules, and official documents enacted after July 1, 2026, to use the term 'noncitizen' instead of 'alien' when referring to non-U.S. citizens, unless federal law requires otherwise.
- Amends multiple statutes across criminal justice, licensing, health care, and workers' compensation to replace the term 'alien' with 'noncitizen' in context-appropriate language.
- Updates concealed pistol license and permit-to-purchase applications to require non-U.S. citizens to provide citizenship status, alien or admission number, and basis for exemption from federal firearm prohibitions.
- Revises the noncitizen firearm licensing process to rename it from 'alien firearm license' to 'noncitizen firearm license' and updates application requirements and procedures.
- Includes a sunset clause for certain sections (e.g., sections 10, 12, 15 expire May 1, 2027; sections 4, 8, 29 expire June 30, 2027), though the core terminology changes remain in effect.
Who is affected
- Noncitizen residents (e.g., visa holders) — Noncitizens who are not lawful permanent residents may need to apply for a new 'noncitizen firearm license' instead of an 'alien firearm license' to legally possess firearms for hunting or sport shooting in Washington.
- State and local government agencies — Law enforcement agencies and licensing authorities (e.g., sheriffs, Washington State Patrol) must update forms, databases, and procedures to use 'noncitizen' instead of 'alien' and adjust application requirements accordingly.
- Firearm license applicants — Applicants for concealed pistol licenses, permits to purchase firearms, and noncitizen firearm licenses must now answer citizenship-related questions using updated terminology and provide additional documentation if applicable.
- Noncitizen crime victims — Victims of crime who are noncitizens and reside outside the U.S. may be affected by changes in how eligibility and payment terms are described and applied under the crime victims' compensation program.
Pro/Con Analysis
Stronger case for benefits
Potential Benefits (5)
Replaces the stigmatizing and dehumanizing term 'alien' with the neutral 'noncitizen' across state statutes, promoting dignity, inclusion, and equal treatment for noncitizen residents in government interactions—including healthcare, workers’ compensation, licensing, and criminal justice.
Rights & LibertiesPeopleRef: Sec. 1, 1.20.130(2), multiple RCW amendmentsClarifies and formalizes pathways for noncitizens to lawfully possess firearms (e.g., via noncitizen firearm license), reducing unregulated firearm possession and improving traceability and accountability for noncitizen firearm owners.
Public SafetyPeopleRef: Sec. 17, 9.41.171Standardizes background check and eligibility criteria for noncitizen firearm licenses, ensuring consistent screening for firearm prohibitions (e.g., mental health, criminal history) across counties, thereby enhancing public safety.
Public SafetyPeopleRef: Sec. 18, 9.41.173(2)Permits non-Washington criminal justice agencies to access sealed juvenile records *only* for firearm licensing purposes (e.g., concealed pistol, noncitizen firearm licenses), improving cross-jurisdictional background check accuracy while limiting dissemination.
Public SafetyPeopleRef: Sec. 21, 13.50.260(8)(e)Urges state and local entities to proactively revise existing statutes and documents to replace 'alien' with 'noncitizen', encouraging broader cultural and institutional shifts toward respectful, inclusive language in government.
Rights & LibertiesLean peopleRef: Sec. 2, 1.20.130(2)
Potential Concerns (5)
Mandates disclosure of citizenship status, alien/admission numbers, and basis for federal firearm exemptions on concealed pistol and noncitizen firearm license applications, increasing documentation burden and potentially deterring noncitizens from lawful firearm possession due to privacy and immigration enforcement concerns.
Rights & LibertiesRef: Sec. 2, 9.41.070(4), 9.41.121(4), 9.41.173(4)Sunset provisions for key licensing sections (e.g., sections 10, 12, 15 expire May 1, 2027) create regulatory uncertainty for sheriffs and law enforcement agencies, requiring repeated legislative reauthorization and increasing administrative burden.
Local GovernmentRef: Sec. 10, 12, 15 (sunset clauses)Requires noncitizen firearm license applicants to submit a valid Washington hunting license or proof of sport shooting club membership, creating an additional cost and administrative barrier for noncitizens seeking lawful firearm access for hunting or sport shooting.
Business & EmploymentRef: Sec. 18, 9.41.173(4)Maintains a $50 fee for the two-year noncitizen firearm license, which is nonrefundable and represents a disproportionate burden for low-income noncitizens compared to the $36 concealed pistol license fee.
FinancialRef: Sec. 18, 9.41.173(5)Requires all state and local government documents enacted after July 1, 2026 to use 'noncitizen' instead of 'alien', mandating costly system-wide updates across agencies, databases, forms, and training.
Local GovernmentRef: Sec. 2, 1.20.130(2)
Who Is Most Affected
Noncitizen residents (especially nonimmigrant visa holders) benefit from reduced stigma and clearer, standardized pathways to lawful firearm possession for hunting/sport shooting; however, they face added documentation requirements (e.g., passport, visa, hunting license) and fee burdens.
Sheriffs and local law enforcement gain consistent licensing procedures and background check protocols for noncitizen firearm licenses, but face short-term administrative costs and uncertainty due to sunset provisions requiring reauthorization.
Firearm license applicants (including noncitizens) benefit from clearer terminology and standardized eligibility, but must now disclose immigration status and additional documentation, raising privacy concerns.
Noncitizen crime victims benefit from inclusive language and consistent access to victim compensation programs, but may face administrative hurdles if they reside outside the U.S. and need to prove eligibility.