STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1903

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 1541

H.D. 2

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2019

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Judiciary and Ways and Means, to which was referred H.B. No. 1541, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO GUN VIOLENCE PREVENTION,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to establish and appropriate funds for the Hawaii gun violence prevention center within the University of Hawaii to research strategies to prevent gun violence.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the LGBT Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawaii, O‘ahu County Democrats Legislative Priorities Committee, Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence, and four individuals. Your Committees received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Hawaii Rifle Association, Hawaii Firearms Coalition, Institute for Rational and Evidence-Based Legislation, and thirty-one individuals. Your Committees received comments on this measure from the Department of Budget and Finance.

Your Committees find that because of existing federal laws that prevent the use of federal funds for gun violence research, little is known about gun violence and its prevention. Because research relating to gun violence has declined, federal and state government agencies lack the capacity to analyze data to track black market guns used in crimes and develop evidence-based policies that can save lives. This measure would allow for the research necessary to develop strategies to prevent gun violence and save lives in the State.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Judiciary and Ways and Means that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1541, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, and recommend that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Judiciary and Ways and Means,

________________________________ DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair

________________________________ KARL RHOADS, Chair