STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1229

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 664

H.D. 1

S.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. 664, H.D. 1, entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

(1) Establish the Office of Gun Violence Prevention to conduct community outreach on gun violence prevention, develop and administer a grant program for gun violence prevention, and develop and administer a gun violence resource bank;

(2) Establish the Gun Violence Prevention Special Fund and appropriate funds into and out of the special fund; and

(3) Appropriate funds.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Law Enforcement; Church State Council; Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence; Everytown for Gun Safety; Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America Hawaiʻi Chapter; Students Demand Action for Gun Sense in America Hawaiʻi Chapter; Brady Hawaii; League of Women Voters of Hawaii; Keiki Injury Prevention Coalition; Vet Voice Foundation; Hawaiʻi Conference, United Church of Christ; and thirty-six individuals.

Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from Puʻuloa Rifle and Pistol Club, Hawaii Patriot Republicans, and forty-eight individuals.

Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of the Attorney General, Department of Budget and Finance, and Tax Foundation of Hawaii.

Your Committee finds that gun violence continues to be a critical issue in the State. Your Committee further finds that creating a dedicated entity focused on research, community engagement, and evidence-based prevention strategies is an appropriate way to address gun violence through a comprehensive public health approach that complements existing law enforcement efforts. Accordingly, this measure establishes the Office of Gun Violence Prevention which will strengthen Hawaii's existing gun violence prevention framework and enhance coordination across government agencies, community organizations, and other stakeholders committed to reducing gun violence in the State.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Moving the existing Gun Violence and Violent Crimes Commission from the Department of the Attorney General to the Department of Law Enforcement for administrative purposes only;

(2) Making conforming amendments;

(3) Inserting an effective date of July 1, 2077, to encourage further discussion; and

(4) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity and consistency.

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. 664, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 664, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committees on Ways and Means and Judiciary.

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

________________________________

BRANDON J.C. ELEFANTE, Chair