STAND. COM. REP. NO. 86

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 1382

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 S.B. No. 1382 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE NATIONAL GUARD,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to specify that intentionally or knowingly causing bodily injury to a national guard member in the performance of duty is a class C felony.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Defense, Hawaii National Guard, and Honolulu Police Department

Your Committee finds that National Guard service members need legal protection during times of state emergencies and urgent domestic response situations. As local law enforcement confronts capacity challenges, National Guard members will be called to provide additional support during civil disturbances, especially in critical state emergencies.

The current law allows for individuals who cause bodily harm to National Guard service members to be charged with a misdemeanor. Your Committee acknowledges the testimony given at the public hearing on this measure by the Hawaii National Guard regarding its position that this penalty scheme is inadequate to protect its service members. This measure will authorize any intentional or deliberate act resulting in injury to National Guard members to be classified as a class C felony, ensuring greater protection for service members and potentially deterring attacks.

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 S.B. No. 1382 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 and Military Affairs,

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BRANDON J.C. ELEFANTE, Chair