STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1586

                                   Honolulu, Hawaii
                                                     , 1999

                                   RE:  H.B. No. 500
                                        H.D. 3
                                        S.D. 1




Honorable Norman Mizuguchi
President of the Senate
Twentieth State Legislature
Regular Session of 1999
State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Judiciary, to which was referred H.B. No.
500, H.D. 3, entitled:

     "A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO FIREARMS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this bill is to develop a commercial hunting
industry in the State.

     Specifically, the bill allows nonresident aliens to bring a
limited number of firearms into the State for recreational
purposes; provided the person meets the registration requirement
and other criteria.

     Testimony in support of the bill was received from the Board
of Land and Natural Resources, the City and County of Honolulu
Police Department, the Hawaii Rifle Association, and Hawaii
Citizens' Rights PAC.  The Manager of Lanai Pine Sporting Clays
and two individuals submitted comments on the bill.

     Your Committee finds that there is a growing interest in
hunting and shooting competitions around the world and that
hosting these events would enhance the State's economy.
Furthermore, developing niche markets, such as recreational
hunting, will help to expand the State's visitor industry.  Your
Committee believes that this measure provides the necessary

 
a                                                     HB500 SD1
 
 
                                   STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1586
                                   Page 2


safeguards to protect our citizenry while allowing residents of
other states or foreign countries to participate in Hawaii's
recreational shooting and game hunting events.

     Your Committee has amended this bill by changing the word
"three" to "seven", at page 2 line 2, to ensure that nonresident
aliens bringing firearms into the State under this bill will have
sufficient time to comply with the registration requirements.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your
Committee on Judiciary that is attached to this report, your
Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No.
500, H.D. 3, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass
Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 500, H.D.
3, S.D. 1, and be placed on the calendar for Third Reading.

                                   Respectfully submitted on
                                   behalf of the members of the
                                   Committee on Judiciary,



                                   ______________________________
                                   AVERY B. CHUMBLEY, Co-Chair



                                   ______________________________
                                   MATTHEW M. MATSUNAGA, Co-Chair

 
a                                                     HB500 SD1