STAND. COM. REP. NO.  636-08

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2008

RE:   H.B. No. 3016

      H.D. 2

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2008

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Judiciary, to which was referred H.B. No. 3016, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO LAW ENFORCEMENT,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this bill is to ensure the safety of law enforcement officers of the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement (DOCARE) by:

(1)  Authorizing Conservation and Resources Enforcement Officers (CREOs) to carry and use electric or "taser" guns in the performance of their duties, provided that DOCARE receives accreditation or recognition from a nationally recognized law enforcement accreditation or credentialing program; and

(2)  Appropriating funds for program accreditation, purchase of electric guns and related equipment, and training in their use for CREOs.

     DLNR, Hawaii Government Employees Association, The Nature Conservancy of Hawaii, and numerous concerned individuals testified in support of this bill.  The American Civil Liberties Union opposed this measure.  Several concerned individuals submitted comments.

     Your Committee has amended this bill by making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for style, clarity, and consistency.

     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. 3016, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it be referred to the Committee on Finance in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 3016, H.D. 2.

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

____________________________

TOMMY WATERS, Chair