STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3556

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 2709

H.D. 2

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2020

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Public Safety, Intergovernmental, and Military Affairs, to which was referred H.B. No. 2709, H.D. 2, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE UNIFORM PROBATE CODE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

(1) Require a personal representative of a decedent appointed under the Uniform Probate Code to notify the police department in the appropriate county of any and all firearms in an estate; and

(2) Require the police department to certify that all firearms in an estate and other firearms of which the police department has been notified are properly transferred or disposed of before the estate closes.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Honolulu Police Department, and three individuals. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from five individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Office of the Mayor of the County of Hawai‘i.

Your Committee finds that the State has strong gun safety laws in place for the protection of its residents and visitors. Despite these laws, gun related crimes are increasing throughout the State. Recently, two police officers were shot and killed in the line of duty, allegedly due to improperly registered firearms found in an estate that belonged to a decedent. Your Committee further finds that existing law is silent in regard to requiring a personal representative to notify the appropriate police department about any firearms in an estate. This measure will allow police departments to account for firearms that may be left behind when a person passes away and will promote the proper disposal or transfer of those firearms.

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. 2709, H.D. 2, and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Judiciary.

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

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CLARENCE K. NISHIHARA, Chair