STAND. COM. REP. NO. 406

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2021

RE: H.B. No. 662

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2021

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred H.B. No. 662 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO FIREARM OWNERSHIP,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to provide an extensive process for limited firearm ownership solely for hunting or sport for certain misdemeanor offenders who are currently not allowed to possess a firearm in the State.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaii Firearms Coalition, Valley Isle Sport Shooters, Hawaii Rifle Association, and numerous individuals. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Department of the Prosecuting Attorney of the City and County of Honolulu, Hawai‘i State Coalition Against Domestic Violence, and eleven individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Office of the Public Defender.

Your Committee finds that federal law prohibits firearm ownership for individuals charged or convicted for various state misdemeanor offenses with no recourse to retain firearm ownership rights notwithstanding an expungement by pardon. This measure provides a very limited process to allow for certain misdemeanor offenders to possess a limited type of firearm for hunting or sport purposes only.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 662 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs,

____________________________

MARK M. NAKASHIMA, Chair