STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3070

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    H.B. No. 626

       H.D. 1

       S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Eighth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2016

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Public Safety, Intergovernmental, and Military Affairs, to which was referred H.B. No. 626, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE POSSESSION OF FIREARMS WHILE CONSUMING OR UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF AN INTOXICANT,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to promote public safety by prohibiting the physical possession of any firearm while consuming alcohol in certain locations.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Police Department of the City and County of Honolulu and three individuals.  Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the National Rifle Association, Valley Isle Sport Shooters, and more than sixty individuals.  Your Committee received comments on this measure from two individuals.

     Your Committee finds that forty-six states have laws restricting or prohibiting the possession of a firearm while consuming or under the influence of alcohol and other intoxicants.  Additionally, several county law enforcement agencies have adopted policies that prohibit their law enforcement officers from handling firearms while consuming or under the influence of alcohol.  Your Committee further finds that law enforcement officers should not in general be exempt from prohibitions against irresponsible possession or use of firearms.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

     (1)  Repealing the exemption for state and county law enforcement officers and others from prohibitions against owning or possessing firearms under section 134‑7, Hawaii Revised Statutes; and

     (2)  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, Intergovernmental, and Military Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 626, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 626, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Judiciary and Labor.

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

________________________________

CLARENCE K. NISHIHARA, Chair