H.R. 5672: Reducing Unnecessary Slowdowns in Handling Act

This bill, titled the Reducing Unnecessary Slowdowns in Handling Act, aims to improve the efficiency of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) in processing applications for various licenses and permits. Here are the key components of the bill:

Statutory Processing Deadlines

The bill establishes specific timelines for the ATF to process applications:

• For most applications, the ATF must complete processing within 90 calendar days of receiving the application.
• For applications relating to licenses specified under section 923 of title 18, United States Code, the ATF must complete processing within 60 calendar days.

Quarterly Reporting Requirements

The ATF is required to submit reports every 90 days to several congressional committees and make these reports publicly available on its website. Each report must include:

• The number of applications received, approved, denied, and currently pending.
• The average time taken to process each type of application.
• A summary of the reasons for any delays in processing.
• A summary of reasons for denying applications.

Internal Oversight and Implementation

The bill mandates the ATF to:

• Establish a process that allows applicants to appeal denied applications or to expedite the processing of applications that are not handled in line with the statutory deadlines.
• Implement internal procedures to determine and correct causes of delays and noncompliance.
• Use existing funds to implement the bill without hiring additional staff or obtaining extra resources by eliminating unnecessary administrative steps and outdated processes that may delay application handling.

Definitions

The bill includes definitions of key terms used throughout the text:

• Application: Refers to any submission for a license, permit, authorization, or a required form under federal law submitted to the ATF.
• Bureau: Refers to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.
• Easily Accessible Format: Specifies that reports must be available to the public in a manner that allows for efficient reading and understanding.

Relevant Companies

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