RKG,
I know both parties . . . Jim fairly well and Ron very well.
I don't know where Jim gets his direct legal info, so I can't speak to that.
I do know that Ron Glidden gets his legal interpretations from the staff attys at EOPS and when in doubt he speaks to the sponsoring legislator's staff attys for clarification.
Biggest problem is confirmed by Jim and that is that there is NO law requiring that a PD issue a receipt. In 31 years of having a LTC here I've only received one "receipt" for my application and that was because I forced the issue with the prior chief (who I didn't trust). He even called me a "PITA" to my face on that one, to which I smiled. I could afford to have brass balls with him as he needed me more than I needed him (every time he asked me to do a detail, work as a Special PO I never refused him, unlike others) . . . I told him "no receipt and I won't work until I have the new permit in hand" . . . he sputtered that I could carry on the badge and I told him "yes, I know that but I won't" (just to be a ball-buster).
Never before that or since (he retired before my next renewal) have either my Wife or I obtained a receipt and we have asked each time. This time I got a "I know that you applied in time" from the Dept Secretary (with whom I am friendly) . . . but as I tried to tell her, she works M-F, 0700 - 1500 and "off hours" nobody knows who has applied or not.