STAND. COM. REP. NO. 813

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 279

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Judiciary, to which was referred S.B. No. 279 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO DANGEROUS DRUGS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to conform fentanyl to the possession offense thresholds for methamphetamine, heroin, morphine, and cocaine.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of the Prosecuting Attorney of the City and County of Honolulu, Honolulu Police Department, Office of the Prosecuting Attorney of the County of Hawaii, one member of the Kauaʻi County Council, and one individual.

Your Committee finds that the Uniform Controlled Substances Act classifies fentanyl as a dangerous drug, and in recent years fentanyl has emerged as a serious public health threat and law enforcement challenge. In 2022, synthetic opioids, primarily illicit fentanyl, represented more than two-thirds of drug overdose deaths nationwide. This measure will combat the increasing prevalence of fentanyl by targeting fentanyl distributors and those possessing amounts highly corroborative of intent to distribute.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 279 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 Judiciary,

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KARL RHOADS, Chair