STAND. COM. REP. NO. 829

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2025

RE: H.B. No. 137

H.D. 1

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Madame:

Your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred H.B. No. 137 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO FIREARMS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to require that felons that are in violation of the prohibition against owning, possessing, or controlling a firearm or ammunition be sentenced to a mandatory prison term.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Law Enforcement; one member of the Kauaʻi County Council; Hawaiʻi Police Department; Office of the Prosecuting Attorney of the County of Hawaiʻi; State of Hawaii Organization of Police Officers; and one individual. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Office of the Public Defender and two individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from one individual.

Your Committee finds that although firearms offenses are often committed by convicted felons who are prohibited from owning, possessing, or controlling firearms or ammunition, these individuals frequently avoid penalties like prison sentences. This measure aims to reduce crime, enhance public safety, and ensure consistency in the sentencing of dangerous offenders.

Your Committee has amended this measure by specifying that the mandatory prison term be imposed on felons whose prior felony conviction is that of a crime of violence.

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. 137, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 137, H.D. 1, and be placed on the calendar for Third Reading.

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

____________________________

DAVID A. TARNAS, Chair