STAND. COM. REP. NO.  207

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2015

RE:   H.B. No. 50

      H.D. 1

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Eighth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2015

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Water & Land, to which was referred H.B. No. 50 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO SHOOTING RANGE PROTECTION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to protect shooting ranges from criminal and civil penalties regarding claims of noise, nuisance, and frivolous negligence, which are commenced after the initial construction or operation of the shooting range.

The Department of Land and Natural Resources, Hawaii Rifle Association, Hawaii Hunting Association, Hawaii Sportsmen's Alliance, Lessons in Firearms Education, Institute for Rational and Evidence-based Legislation, National Rifle Association of America, On Target, Inc., and numerous individuals testified in support of this measure. 

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

     (1)  Removing the reference to frivolous negligence claims;

     (2)  Removing the provision that a person participating in sport shooting at a shooting range accepts the risks associated with the sport to the extent that the risks are inherent; and

     (3)  Changing the effective date to July 1, 2050, to encourage further discussion.  

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Water & Land that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 50, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 50, H.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Judiciary.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Water & Land,

____________________________

RYAN I. YAMANE, Chair