STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1369

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 137

H.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Public Safety and Military Affairs, to which was referred H.B. No. 137, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO FIREARMS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to provide that violent felons who are in violation of the prohibition against owning, possessing, or controlling a firearm or ammunition are subject to a mandatory prison term.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Law Enforcement, Department of the Prosecuting Attorney for the City and County of Honolulu, Office of the Prosecuting Attorney for the County of Hawaiʻi, State of Hawaii Organization of Police Officers, one member of the Kauaʻi County Council, and three individuals.

Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Office of the Public Defender and twenty-eight individuals.

Your Committee finds that individuals who have committed violent felonies and subsequently illegally possess firearms pose a significant risk to public safety. Accordingly, this measure establishes a mandatory minimum prison sentence for individuals with a prior felony conviction for a crime of violence who violate the existing prohibition against convicted felons owning, possessing, or controlling firearms or ammunition. The mandatory imprisonment provision will create a stronger deterrent for those who might otherwise disregard current prohibitions and will address the serious nature of violations committed specifically by violent offenders, who statistically present a higher risk of recidivism with firearms.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Public Safety and Military Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 137, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be placed on the calendar for Third Reading.

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

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BRANDON J.C. ELEFANTE, Chair