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General Assembly Raised Bill No. 6684
January Session, 2023
LCO No. 4130
Referred to Committee on PUBLIC SAFETY AND SECURITY
Introduced by:
(PS)
AN ACT EXCLUDING CERTAIN TARGET SHOOTING PISTOLS FROM
PROVISIONS ON ASSAULT WEAPONS.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General
Assembly convened:
Section 1. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2023) (a) Not later than October 1, 1
2023, the Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection 2
shall (1) identify semiautomatic pistols that are defined as assault 3
weapons in any provision of subparagraphs (B) to (F), inclusive, of 4
subdivision (1) of section 53-202a of the general statutes and are 5
designed for use in target shooting that are sanctioned by a United 6
States or international target shooting organization or for use in the 7
Olympic Games, and (2) post a list of such pistols on the Internet web 8
site of the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection. 9
Such list shall be used for the purposes of identifying semiautomatic 10
pistols that may be sold pursuant to subdivision (4) of subsection (b) of 11
section 53-202b of the general statutes, as amended by this act, or that 12
may be possessed pursuant to subsection (f) of section 53-202c of the 13
general statutes, as amended by this act, or subparagraph (A) of 14
subdivision (2) of subsection (a) or subdivision (7) of subsection (f) of 15
section 53-202d of the general statutes, as amended by this act. 16 Raised Bill No. 6684
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(b) The commissioner shall review the list posted pursuant to 17
subsection (a) of this section not less frequently than annually and make 18
any revisions to such list as the commissioner deems necessary. 19
Sec. 2. Section 53-202b of the general statutes is repealed and the 20
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2023): 21
(a) (1) Any person who, within this state, distributes, transports or 22
imports into the state, keeps for sale, or offers or exposes for sale, or who 23
gives any assault weapon, except as provided by sections 53-202a to 53-24
202k, inclusive, shall be guilty of a class C felony and shall be sentenced 25
to a term of imprisonment of which two years may not be suspended or 26
reduced by the court. 27
(2) Any person who transfers, sells or gives any assault weapon to a 28
person under eighteen years of age in violation of subdivision (1) of this 29
subsection shall be sentenced to a term of imprisonment of six years, 30
which shall not be suspended or reduced by the court and shall be in 31
addition and consecutive to the term of imprisonment imposed under 32
subdivision (1) of this subsection. 33
(b) The provisions of subsection (a) of this section shall not apply to: 34
(1) The sale of assault weapons to: (A) The Department of Emergency 35
Services and Public Protection, police departments, the Department of 36
Correction, the Division of Criminal Justice, the Department of Motor 37
Vehicles, the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection or 38
the military or naval forces of this state or of the United States, [;](B) a 39
sworn and duly certified member of an organized police department, 40
the Division of State Police within the Department of Emergency 41
Services and Public Protection or the Department of Correction, a chief 42
inspector or inspector in the Division of Criminal Justice, a salaried 43
inspector of motor vehicles designated by the Commissioner of Motor 44
Vehicles, a conservation officer or special conservation officer appointed 45
by the Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection pursuant 46
to section 26-5, or a constable who is certified by the Police Officer 47
Standards and Training Council and appointed by the chief executive 48 Raised Bill No. 6684
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authority of a town, city or borough to perform criminal law 49
enforcement duties, pursuant to a letter on the letterhead of such 50
department, division, commissioner or authority authorizing the 51
purchase and stating that the sworn member, inspector, officer or 52
constable will use the assault weapon in the discharge of official duties, 53
and that a records check indicates that the sworn member, inspector, 54
officer or constable has not been convicted of a crime of family violence, 55
for use by such sworn member, inspector, officer or constable in the 56
discharge of such sworn member's, inspector's, officer's or constable's 57
official duties or when off duty, (C) a member of the military or naval 58
forces of this state or of the United States, or (D) a nuclear facility 59
licensed by the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission for the 60
purpose of providing security services at such facility, or any contractor 61
or subcontractor of such facility for the purpose of providing security 62
services at such facility; 63
(2) A person who is the executor or administrator of an estate that 64
includes an assault weapon for which a certificate of possession has 65
been issued under section 53-202d, as amended by this act, which is 66
disposed of as authorized by the Probate Court, if the disposition is 67
otherwise permitted by sections 53-202a to 53-202k, inclusive; 68
(3) The transfer of an assault weapon for which a certificate of 69
possession has been issued under section 53-202d, as amended by this 70
act, by bequest or intestate succession, or, upon the death of a testator 71
or settlor: (A) To a trust, or (B) from a trust to a beneficiary who is 72
eligible to possess the assault weapon; 73
(4) The sale of a semiautomatic pistol that is defined as an assault 74
weapon in any provision of subparagraphs (B) to (F), inclusive, of 75
subdivision (1) of section 53-202a that the Commissioner of Emergency 76
Services and Public Protection [designates as being designed expressly 77
for use in target shooting events at the Olympic games sponsored by the 78
International Olympic Committee pursuant to regulations adopted 79
under this subdivision] identifies on a list posted on the Internet web 80
site of the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection 81 Raised Bill No. 6684
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pursuant to section 1 of this act, and for which the purchaser signs a 82
form prescribed by the commissioner and provided by the seller that 83
indicates that the pistol will be used by the purchaser primarily for 84
target shooting practice and events. [The Commissioner of Emergency 85
Services and Public Protection shall adopt regulations, in accordance 86
with chapter 54, to designate semiautomatic pistols that are defined as 87
assault weapons in any provision of subparagraphs (B) to (F), inclusive, 88
of subdivision (1) of section 53-202a that may be sold pursuant to this 89
subdivision, provided the use of such pistols is sanctioned by the 90
International Olympic Committee and USA Shooting, or any 91
subsequent corresponding governing board for international shooting 92
competition in the United States.] 93
Sec. 3. Section 53-202c of the general statutes is repealed and the 94
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2023): 95
(a) Except as provided in section 53-202e, any person who, within this 96
state, possesses an assault weapon, except as provided in sections 53-97
202a to 53-202k, inclusive, and 53-202o, shall be guilty of a class D felony 98
and shall be sentenced to a term of imprisonment of which one year may 99
not be suspended or reduced by the court, except that a first-time 100
violation of this subsection shall be a class A misdemeanor if (1) the 101
person presents proof that such person lawfully possessed the assault 102
weapon (A) prior to October 1, 1993, with respect to an assault weapon 103
described in subparagraph (A) of subdivision (1) of section 53-202a, or 104
(B) on April 4, 2013, under the provisions of sections 53-202a to 53-202k, 105
inclusive, in effect on January 1, 2013, with respect to an assault weapon 106
described in any provision of subparagraphs (B) to (F), inclusive, of 107
subdivision (1) of section 53-202a, and (2) the person has otherwise 108
possessed the assault weapon in compliance with subsection (f) of 109
section 53-202d, as amended by this act. 110
(b) The provisions of subsection (a) of this section shall not apply to 111
the possession of assault weapons by: (1) The Department of Emergency 112
Services and Public Protection, police departments, the Department of 113
Correction, the Division of Criminal Justice, the Department of Motor 114 Raised Bill No. 6684
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Vehicles, the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection or 115
the military or naval forces of this state or of the United States, (2) a 116
sworn and duly certified member of an organized police department, 117
the Division of State Police within the Department of Emergency 118
Services and Public Protection or the Department of Correction, a chief 119
inspector or inspector in the Division of Criminal Justice, a salaried 120
inspector of motor vehicles designated by the Commissioner of Motor 121
Vehicles, a conservation officer or special conservation officer appointed 122
by the Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection pursuant 123
to section 26-5, or a constable who is certified by the Police Officer 124
Standards and Training Council and appointed by the chief executive 125
authority of a town, city or borough to perform criminal law 126
enforcement duties, for use by such sworn member, inspector, officer or 127
constable in the discharge of such sworn member's, inspector's, officer's 128
or constable's official duties or when off duty, (3) a member of the 129
military or naval forces of this state or of the United States, or (4) a 130
nuclear facility licensed by the United States Nuclear Regulatory 131
Commission for the purpose of providing security services at such 132
facility, or any contractor or subcontractor of such facility for the 133
purpose of providing security services at such facility. 134
(c) The provisions of subsection (a) of this section shall not apply to 135
the possession of an assault weapon described in subparagraph (A) of 136
subdivision (1) of section 53-202a by any person prior to July 1, 1994, if 137
all of the following are applicable: 138
(1) The person is eligible under sections 53-202a to 53-202k, inclusive, 139
to apply for a certificate of possession for the assault weapon by July 1, 140
1994; 141
(2) The person lawfully possessed the assault weapon prior to 142
October 1, 1993; and 143
(3) The person is otherwise in compliance with sections 53-202a to 53-144
202k, inclusive. 145
(d) The provisions of subsection (a) of this section shall not apply to 146 Raised Bill No. 6684
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the possession of an assault weapon described in any provision of 147
subparagraphs (B) to (F), inclusive, of subdivision (1) of section 53-202a 148
by any person prior to April 5, 2013, if all of the following are applicable: 149
(1) The person is eligible under sections 53-202a to 53-202k, inclusive, 150
to apply for a certificate of possession for the assault weapon by January 151
1, 2014; 152
(2) The person lawfully possessed the assault weapon on April 4, 153
2013, under the provisions of sections 53-202a to 53-202k, inclusive, in 154
effect on January 1, 2013; and 155
(3) The person is otherwise in compliance with sections 53-202a to 53-156
202k, inclusive. 157
(e) The provisions of subsection (a) of this section shall not apply to a 158
person who is the executor or administrator of an estate that includes an 159
assault weapon, or the trustee of a trust that includes an assault weapon, 160
for which a certificate of possession has been issued under section 53-161
202d, as amended by this act, if the assault weapon is possessed at a 162
place set forth in subdivision (1) of subsection (f) of section 53-202d, as 163
amended by this act, or as authorized by the Probate Court. 164
(f) The provisions of subsection (a) of this section shall not apply to 165
the possession of a semiautomatic pistol that is defined as an assault 166
weapon in any provision of subparagraphs (B) to (F), inclusive, of 167
subdivision (1) of section 53-202a that the Commissioner of Emergency 168
Services and Public Protection [designates as being designed expressly 169
for use in target shooting events at the Olympic games sponsored by the 170
International Olympic Committee pursuant to regulations adopted 171
under subdivision (4) of subsection (b) of section 53-202b] identifies on 172
a list posted on the Internet web site of the Department of Emergency 173
Services and Public Protection pursuant to section 1 of this act, that is 174
(1) possessed and transported in accordance with subsection (f) of 175
section 53-202d, as amended by this act, or (2) possessed at or 176
transported to or from a collegiate, Olympic or target pistol shooting 177
competition in this state which is sponsored by, conducted under the 178 Raised Bill No. 6684
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auspices of, or approved by a law enforcement agency or a nationally or 179
state recognized entity that fosters proficiency in, or promotes education 180
about, firearms, provided such pistol is transported in the manner 181
prescribed in subsection (a) of section 53-202f. 182
Sec. 4. Section 53-202d of the general statutes is repealed and the 183
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2023): 184
(a) (1) (A) Except as provided in subparagraph (B) of this subdivision, 185
any person who lawfully possesses an assault weapon, as defined in 186
subparagraph (A) of subdivision (1) of section 53-202a, prior to October 187
1, 1993, shall apply by October 1, 1994, or, if such person is a member of 188
the military or naval forces of this state or of the United States and is 189
unable to apply by October 1, 1994, because such member is or was on 190
official duty outside of this state, shall apply within ninety days of 191
returning to the state to the Department of Emergency Services and 192
Public Protection, for a certificate of possession with respect to such 193
assault weapon. 194
(B) No person who lawfully possesses an assault weapon pursuant to 195
subdivision (1), (2) or (4) of subsection (b) of section 53-202c, as amended 196
by this act, shall be required to obtain a certificate of possession 197
pursuant to this subdivision with respect to an assault weapon used for 198
official duties, except that any person described in subdivision (2) of 199
subsection (b) of section 53-202c, as amended by this act, who purchases 200
an assault weapon, as defined in subparagraph (A) of subdivision (1) of 201
section 53-202a, for use in the discharge of official duties who retires or 202
is otherwise separated from service shall apply within ninety days of 203
such retirement or separation from service to the Department of 204
Emergency Services and Public Protection for a certificate of possession 205
with respect to such assault weapon. 206
(2) (A) Except as provided in subparagraph (B) of this subdivision, 207
any person who lawfully possesses an assault weapon, as defined in any 208
provision of subparagraphs (B) to (F), inclusive, of subdivision (1) of 209
section 53-202a, on April 4, 2013, under the provisions of sections 53-210 Raised Bill No. 6684
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202a to 53-202k, inclusive, in effect on January 1, 2013, or any person 211
who regains possession of an assault weapon as defined in any 212
provision of said subparagraphs pursuant to subsection (e) of section 213
53-202f, or any person who lawfully purchases a firearm on or after 214
April 4, 2013, but prior to June 18, 2013, that meets the criteria set forth 215
in subdivision (3) or (4) of subsection (a) of section 53-202a of the general 216
statutes, revision of 1958, revised to January 1, 2013, shall apply by 217
January 1, 2014, or, if such person is a member of the military or naval 218
forces of this state or of the United States and is unable to apply by 219
January 1, 2014, because such member is or was on official duty outside 220
of this state, shall apply within ninety days of returning to the state to 221
the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection for a 222
certificate of possession with respect to such assault weapon. Any 223
person who lawfully purchases a semiautomatic pistol that is defined as 224
an assault weapon in any provision of subparagraphs (B) to (F), 225
inclusive, of subdivision (1) of section 53-202a that the Commissioner of 226
Emergency Services and Public Protection [designates as being 227
designed expressly for use in target shooting events at the Olympic 228
games sponsored by the International Olympic Committee pursuant to 229
regulations adopted under subdivision (4) of subsection (b) of section 230
53-202b] identifies on a list posted on the Internet web site of the 231
Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection pursuant to 232
section 1 of this act, shall apply within ninety days of such purchase to 233
the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection for a 234
certificate of possession with respect to such assault weapon. 235
(B) No person who lawfully possesses an assault weapon pursuant to 236
subdivision (1), (2) or (4) of subsection (b) of section 53-202c, as amended 237
by this act, shall be required to obtain a certificate of possession 238
pursuant to this subdivision with respect to an assault weapon used for 239
official duties, except that any person described in subdivision (2) of 240
subsection (b) of section 53-202c, as amended by this act, who purchases 241
an assault weapon, as defined in any provision of subparagraphs (B) to 242
(F), inclusive, of subdivision (1) of section 53-202a for use in the 243
discharge of official duties who retires or is otherwise separated from 244 Raised Bill No. 6684
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service shall apply within ninety days of such retirement or separation 245
from service to the Department of Emergency Services and Public 246
Protection for a certificate of possession with respect to such assault 247
weapon. 248
(3) Any person who obtained a certificate of possession for an assault 249
weapon, as defined in subparagraph (A) of subdivision (1) of section 53-250
202a, prior to April 5, 2013, that is defined as an assault weapon 251
pursuant to any provision of subparagraphs (B) to (F), inclusive, of 252
subdivision (1) of section 53-202a shall be deemed to have obtained a 253
certificate of possession for such assault weapon for the purposes of 254
sections 53-202a to 53-202k, inclusive, and shall not be required to obtain 255
a subsequent certificate of possession for such assault weapon. 256
(4) The certificate of possession shall contain a description of the 257
firearm that identifies it uniquely, including all identification marks, the 258
full name, address, date of birth and thumbprint of the owner, and any 259
other information as the department may deem appropriate. 260
(5) The department shall adopt regulations, in accordance with the 261
provisions of chapter 54, to establish procedures with respect to the 262
application for and issuance of certificates of possession pursuant to this 263
section. Notwithstanding the provisions of sections 1-210 and 1-211, the 264
name and address of a person issued a certificate of possession shall be 265
confidential and shall not be disclosed, except such records may be 266
disclosed to (A) law enforcement agencies and employees of the United 267
States Probation Office acting in the performance of their duties and 268
parole officers within the Department of Correction acting in the 269
performance of their duties, and (B) the Commissioner of Mental Health 270
and Addiction Services to carry out the provisions of subsection (c) of 271
section 17a-500. 272
(b) (1) No assault weapon, as defined in subparagraph (A) of 273
subdivision (1) of section 53-202a, possessed pursuant to a certificate of 274
possession issued under this section may be sold or transferred on or 275
after January 1, 1994, to any person within this state other than to a 276 Raised Bill No. 6684
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licensed gun dealer, as defined in subsection (f) of section 53-202f, or as 277
provided in section 53-202e, or by bequest or intestate succession, or, 278
upon the death of a testator or settlor: (A) To a trust, or (B) from a trust 279
to a beneficiary who is eligible to possess the assault weapon. 280
(2) No assault weapon, as defined in any provision of subparagraphs 281
(B) to (F), inclusive, of subdivision (1) of section 53-202a, possessed 282
pursuant to a certificate of possession issued under this section may be 283
sold or transferred on or after April 5, 2013, to any person within this 284
state other than to a licensed gun dealer, as defined in subsection (f) of 285
section 53-202f, or as provided in section 53-202e, or by bequest or 286
intestate succession, or, upon the death of a testator or settlor: (A) To a 287
trust, or (B) from a trust to a beneficiary who is eligible to possess the 288
assault weapon. 289
(c) Any person who obtains title to an assault weapon for which a 290
certificate of possession has been issued under this section by bequest 291
or intestate succession shall, within ninety days of obtaining title, apply 292
to the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection for a 293
certificate of possession as provided in subsection (a) of this section, 294
render the assault weapon permanently inoperable, sell the assault 295
weapon to a licensed gun dealer or remove the assault weapon from the 296
state. 297
(d) Any person who moves into the state in lawful possession of an 298
assault weapon, shall, within ninety days, either render the assault 299
weapon permanently inoperable, sell the assault weapon to a licensed 300
gun dealer or remove the assault weapon from this state, except that any 301
person who is a member of the military or naval forces of this state or of 302
the United States, is in lawful possession of an assault weapon and has 303
been transferred into the state after October 1, 1994, may, within ninety 304
days of arriving in the state, apply to the Department of Emergency 305
Services and Public Protection for a certificate of possession with respect 306
to such assault weapon. 307
(e) If an owner of an assault weapon sells or transfers the assault 308 Raised Bill No. 6684
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weapon to a licensed gun dealer, such dealer shall, at the time of 309
delivery of the assault weapon, execute a certificate of transfer and cause 310
the certificate of transfer to be mailed or delivered to the Commissioner 311
of Emergency Services and Public Protection. The certificate of transfer 312
shall contain: (1) The date of sale or transfer; (2) the name and address 313
of the seller or transferor and the licensed gun dealer, their Social 314
Security numbers or motor vehicle operator license numbers, if 315
applicable; (3) the licensed gun dealer's federal firearms license number 316
and seller's permit number; (4) a description of the assault weapon, 317
including the caliber of the assault weapon and its make, model and 318
serial number; and (5) any other information the commissioner 319
prescribes. The licensed gun dealer shall present such dealer's motor 320
vehicle operator's license or Social Security card, federal firearms license 321
and seller's permit to the seller or transferor for inspection at the time of 322
purchase or transfer. The Commissioner of Emergency Services and 323
Public Protection shall maintain a file of all certificates of transfer at the 324
commissioner's central office. 325
(f) Any person who has been issued a certificate of possession for an 326
assault weapon under this section may possess the assault weapon only 327
under the following conditions: 328
(1) At that person's residence, place of business or other property 329
owned by that person, or on property owned by another person with 330
the owner's express permission; 331
(2) While on the premises of a target range of a public or private club 332
or organization organized for the purpose of practicing shooting at 333
targets; 334
(3) While on a target range which holds a regulatory or business 335
license for the purpose of practicing shooting at that target range; 336
(4) While on the premises of a licensed shooting club; 337
(5) While attending any exhibition, display or educational project 338
which is about firearms and which is sponsored by, conducted under 339 Raised Bill No. 6684
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the auspices of, or approved by a law enforcement agency or a 340
nationally or state recognized entity that fosters proficiency in, or 341
promotes education about, firearms; 342
(6) While transporting the assault weapon between any of the places 343
set forth in this subsection, or to any licensed gun dealer, as defined in 344
subsection (f) of section 53-202f, for servicing or repair pursuant to 345
subsection (c) of section 53-202f, provided the assault weapon is 346
transported as required by section 53-202f; 347
(7) With respect to a nonresident of this state, while transporting a 348
semiautomatic pistol that is defined as an assault weapon in any 349
provision of subparagraphs (B) to (F), inclusive, of subdivision (1) of 350
section 53-202a that the Commissioner of Emergency Services and 351
Public Protection [designates as being designed expressly for use in 352
target shooting events at the Olympic games sponsored by the 353
International Olympic Committee pursuant to regulations adopted 354
under subdivision (4) of subsection (b) of section 53-202b] identifies on 355
a list posted on the Internet web site of the Department of Emergency 356
Services and Public Protection pursuant to section 1 of this act, into or 357
through this state in order to attend any exhibition, display or 358
educational project described in subdivision (5) of this subsection, or to 359
participate in a collegiate, Olympic or target pistol shooting competition 360
in this state which is sponsored by, conducted under the auspices of, or 361
approved by a law enforcement agency or a nationally or state 362
recognized entity that fosters proficiency in, or promotes education 363
about, firearms, provided (A) such pistol is transported into or through 364
this state not more than forty-eight hours prior to or after such 365
exhibition, display, project or competition, (B) such pistol is unloaded 366
and carried in a locked carrying case and the ammunition for such pistol 367
is carried in a separate locked container, (C) such nonresident has not 368
been convicted of a felony in this state or of an offense in another state 369
that would constitute a felony if committed in this state, and (D) such 370
nonresident has in his or her possession a pistol permit or firearms 371
registration card if such permit or card is required for possession of such 372
pistol under the laws of his or her state of residence. 373 Raised Bill No. 6684
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Sec. 5. (Effective October 1, 2023) Notwithstanding the provisions of 374
chapter 54 of the general statutes, sections 53-202b-1 to 53-202b-5, 375
inclusive, of the regulations of Connecticut state agencies are repealed. 376
Sec. 6. (Effective October 1, 2023) Not later than January 1, 2024, the 377
Secretary of the State shall update the official compilation of the 378
regulations of Connecticut state agencies posted on the eRegulations 379
System to comply with the provisions of chapter 54 of the general 380
statutes and section 5 of this act.381
This act shall take effect as follows and shall amend the following
sections:
Section 1 July 1, 2023 New section
Sec. 2 October 1, 2023 53-202b
Sec. 3 October 1, 2023 53-202c
Sec. 4 October 1, 2023 53-202d
Sec. 5 October 1, 2023 New section
Sec. 6 October 1, 2023 New section
Statement of Purpose:
To require the Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public
Protection to publish a list excluding certain target shooting pistols from
the provisions on assault weapons, and repeal existing regulations
regarding such pistols.
[Proposed deletions are enclosed in brackets. Proposed additions are indicated by underline, except
that when the entire text of a bill or resolution or a section of a bill or resolution is new, it is not
underlined.]