STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2368

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 3040

S.D. 1

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. 3040 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) Replace the Gun Violence and Violent Crimes Commission with the Office of Gun Violence Prevention; and

(2) Appropriate funds.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Law Enforcement and forty individuals.

Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Mid Pacific Pistol League, Bows N Bullets, Hawaii Firearms Coalition, and seventy-four individuals.

Your Committee finds that the Gun Violence and Violent Crimes Commission (Commission) was established by Act 74, Session Laws of Hawaii 2020, with the purpose to address gun violence and violent crimes in the State by providing coordination, facilitation, and planning among state and county agencies, federal agencies, and other appropriate partners. Although the Commission has been successful in its mission, your Committee believes that the establishment of a dedicated Office of Gun Violence Prevention would provide a more focused, permanent, and comprehensive approach to addressing gun violence in the State by allowing for better coordination of prevention efforts, data collection and analysis, community outreach, and the implementation of targeted interventions to reduce gun violence. Additionally, the Office would serve as a central hub for gun violence prevention initiatives, including educational programs, community-based interventions, and collaboration with law enforcement agencies, health care providers, and community organizations. This measure will significantly enhance the State's ability to address the root causes of gun violence and develop effective prevention strategies.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Inserting an effective date of July 1, 2050, to encourage further discussion; and

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

Your Committee notes that this measure contains an appropriation for an unspecified amount. Should your Committee on Ways and Means choose to deliberate on this measure, your Committee respectfully requests that it consider inserting an appropriate amount for the Office of Gun Violence Prevention, including for the establishment of one full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) Director position and operating costs and equipment.

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. 3040, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 3040, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

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

________________________________

CAROL FUKUNAGA, Chair