STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2274

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 2955

       S.D. 1

Honorable Shan S. Tsutsui

President of the Senate

Twenty-Sixth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2012

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Public Safety, Government Operations, and Military Affairs, to which was referred S.B. No. 2955 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO PROBATION OFFICERS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to authorize probation officers to carry and use electric guns.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaii State Judiciary Adult Probation Division.  Testimony in opposition was received from the Honolulu Police Department.  Comments were received from the Judiciary and the American Civil Liberties Union of Hawai‘i.

     Your Committee finds that the job of a probation officer is an essential, yet at times dangerous, occupation.  Probation officers work in a dangerous environment with persons convicted of felonies.

     Your Committee desires to ensure that probation officers receive the proper education and training in the safe use of electric guns. 

     Your Committee has amended this measure by making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity and consistency.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Public Safety, Government Operations, and Military Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2955, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2955, S.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Public Safety, Government Operations, and Military Affairs,

____________________________

WILL ESPERO, Chair