STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1445

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    H.B. No. 950

       H.D. 1

 

 

 

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2019

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Public Safety, Intergovernmental, and Military Affairs, to which was referred H.B. No. 950, H.D. 1, entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS SAFETY ACT,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to authorize the Attorney General to issue credentials to allow qualified law enforcement officers to carry concealed firearms in the State, as is permitted by the federal Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Public Safety, Department of the Attorney General, and six individuals.  Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Hawaii Firearms Coalition, Hoomanapono Political Action Committee, and two individuals.

 

     Your Committee finds that under the Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act certification program, retired officers may be certified to carry concealed firearms only if they pass standardized firearms qualification testing, a medical exam every two years, and a mental health clearance every year.  Your Committee further finds that this measure would give the Department of the Attorney General the statutory authority and ability to adopt rules to ensure qualified law enforcement officers are properly certified to carry concealed firearms, and clarify that the Department of the Attorney General is the agency responsible for issuing credentials pursuant to the Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Public Safety, Intergovernmental, and Military Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 950, H.D. 1, 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, Intergovernmental, and Military Affairs,

 

 

 

________________________________

CLARENCE K. NISHIHARA, Chair