STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2295

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 950

       S.D. 1

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fifth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2010

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committees on Public Safety and Military Affairs and Water, Land, Agriculture, and Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred S.B. No. 950 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO ELECTRIC GUNS,"

beg leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to authorize law enforcement officers of the Department of Public Safety and conservation and resources enforcement officers of the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) to use electric guns and related equipment while performing their duties.

     Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from two government entities, one labor organization, one private entity, and ten individuals.  Testimony in opposition was received from one private entity.  Comments were received from one individual.  Written testimony presented to the Committees may be reviewed on the Legislature's website.

     Your Committees find that electric guns provide a viable alternative to the escalation of the use of deadly force when dealing with non-compliant combative suspects, particularly in remote areas of the State.  Electric guns reduce the risk of serious injury or death by providing a less-than-lethal means of exerting force when necessary.

     The Chairperson of the Board of Land and Natural Resources testified that the DLNR is well into the process of obtaining training for its personnel to use electric guns, and anticipates receiving a federal grant to that effect.

     Your Committees have amended this measure by:

(1)  Changing the effective date to July 1, 2050 to continue the discussions in this matter; and

(2)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments.   

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Public Safety and Military Affairs and Water, Land, Agriculture, and Hawaiian Affairs that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 950, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 950, S.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Judiciary and Government Operations.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Public Safety and Military Affairs and Water, Land, Agriculture, and Hawaiian Affairs,

____________________________ CLAYTON HEE, Chair

____________________________ WILL ESPERO, Chair