STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1437

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 1176

H.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2019

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Transportation, to which was referred H.B. No. 1176, H.D. 1, entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to authorize Department of Transportation law enforcement officers to use electric guns while performing their duties and require them to be accredited in the use of such guns by June 30, 2024.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Transportation, Department of the Attorney General, Honolulu County Republican Party, and one individual.

Your Committee finds that electric guns provide law enforcement officers a viable and safer alternative to other potentially deadly firearms when dealing with non-compliant, combative suspects. Existing laws authorize certain law enforcement officers, members of the army, and air national guard to use electric guns. However, existing law does not allow law enforcement officers at state commercial harbors, or harbor police, under the Department of Transportation to carry electric guns. Your Committee further finds that while harbor police are not currently authorized to use electric guns, they are authorized to carry firearms and therefore should also have access to electric guns.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Transportation that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1176, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committees on Judiciary and Ways and Means.

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

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LORRAINE R. INOUYE, Chair