STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2125

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2517

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Public Safety and Military Affairs, to which was referred S.B. No. 2517 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC SAFETY,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to establish a class C felony penalty for the unlawful possession, control, or transfer of a firearm or ammunition in violation of a valid judicial protective order or restraining order.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of the Attorney General, Maui Police Department, Department of the Prosecuting Attorney of the County of Maui, Office of the Prosecuting Attorney of the County of Hawaii, and one individual.

Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Office of the Public Defender, Hawaii Rifle Association, Mid Pacific Pistol League, and sixty-four individuals.

Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of the Prosecuting Attorney of the County of Maui.

Your Committee finds that existing law allows a person, by a lawful judicial protective order or restraining order, to be prohibited from possessing, controlling, or transferring ownership of a firearm or ammunition. Protective orders and restraining orders are frequently issued to protect individuals from domestic violence, stalking, or harassment. When individuals violate these orders by possessing, controlling, or transferring firearms or ammunition, the risk of violence and harm increases significantly.

Your Committee further finds that increasing the penalties for violating a protective order or restraining order by possessing, controlling, or transferring a firearm would provide a vital deterrent to individuals who are at risk of committing violent offenses against protected individuals. This measures provides both a deterrent and accountability mechanism for potential violators.

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. 2517 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,

________________________________

CAROL FUKUNAGA, Chair