RELATING TO GUN VIOLENCE PREVENTION.

Budget Firearms

Active

The official status still shows this bill as active or still awaiting another formal step.

Sponsor: KILA, EVSLIN, GARRETT, GRANDINETTI, LAMOSAO, LOWEN, TAKAYAMA, TAKENOUCHI, TAM
Last action: 2026-04-02
Official status: Received notice of the discharge of all House Conferees (Hse. Com. No. 457).
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The bill summary does not provide exact figures for appropriations or grants.

Rules to Prevent Gun Violence

This bill establishes an Office of Gun Violence Prevention within the Department of Law Enforcement, moves a commission related to gun violence prevention from the Attorney General's office to the Department of Law Enforcement, sets up a special fund for grants aimed at reducing gun violence, and requires annual reports.

What This Bill Does

Establishes the Office of Gun Violence Prevention within the Department of Law Enforcement to conduct community outreach on gun violence prevention, develop and administer a grant program, and maintain a resource bank with data on gun violence in Hawaii.
Moves the Gun Violence and Violent Crimes Commission from the Attorney General's office to the Department of Law Enforcement.
Establishes the Gun Violence Prevention Special Fund within the state treasury for grants aimed at reducing gun violence.
Requires the Office to submit annual reports detailing its activities, grant awards, and engagement with communities.

Who It Names or Affects

The Department of Law Enforcement
Community organizations working on gun violence prevention
Hawaii residents

Terms To Know

Office of Gun Violence Prevention: A new office within the Department of Law Enforcement that works to prevent gun violence through community outreach, grant programs, and data collection.
Gun Violence Prevention Special Fund: A special fund established in the state treasury for grants aimed at reducing gun violence.

Limits and Unknowns

The bill does not specify how much money will be appropriated into and out of the Gun Violence Prevention Special Fund.
It is unclear when and how often grants will be awarded from the special fund.
The exact rules for the Office's operations are yet to be determined.

Amendments

These notes stay tied to the official amendment files and metadata from the legislature.

HD1

Hawaii published version HD1

Plain English: The amendment establishes an Office of Gun Violence Prevention within the Department of Law Enforcement to develop, administer, and coordinate gun violence prevention programs.

Establishes a new office within the department of law enforcement dedicated to preventing gun violence.
Defines roles and responsibilities for the director of this new office, including administering funds and advising on legislation related to gun violence prevention.
Sets up a grant program to support community-based initiatives aimed at reducing gun violence.
Creates a special fund to manage money received from grants, donations, and appropriations specifically for gun violence prevention.

The exact details of how the office will collaborate with other agencies are not specified in this amendment text.

SD1

Hawaii published version SD1

Plain English: The amendment establishes an Office of Gun Violence Prevention within the Department of Law Enforcement to develop, administer, and coordinate gun violence prevention programs and initiatives in Hawaii.

Establishes a new office within the Department of Law Enforcement dedicated to preventing gun violence.
Defines responsibilities for the director of this office, including administering funds, assessing policies, advising agencies, and conducting public awareness campaigns.
Creates a grant program for community-based interventions aimed at reducing gun violence.
Sets up a special fund to support these initiatives with grants, donations, and appropriations.

The exact details of the grant criteria and application process are not fully specified in this amendment text.

SD2

Hawaii published version SD2

Establishes a new office within the Department of Law Enforcement dedicated to preventing gun violence.
Sets up a grant program for community-based initiatives aimed at reducing gun violence.
Creates a special fund to support these grants and other activities related to gun violence prevention.

The exact details of how the office will collaborate with other agencies are not specified in this amendment text.

Bill History

2026-04-02 S
Received notice of the discharge of all House Conferees (Hse. Com. No. 457).
2026-04-01 H
House Conferee(s) discharged.
2025-12-08 D
Carried over to 2026 Regular Session.
2025-04-21 S
Received notice of appointment of House conferees (Hse. Com. No. 755).
2025-04-17 H
House Conferees Appointed: Tarnas, Kitagawa Co-Chairs; Shimizu.
2025-04-11 S
Received notice of disagreement (Hse. Com. No. 704).
2025-04-10 H
House disagrees with Senate amendment (s).
2025-04-08 H
Returned from Senate (Sen. Com. No. 661) in amended form (SD 2).
2025-04-08 S
Report Adopted; Passed Third Reading, as amended (SD 2). Ayes, 23; Aye(s) with reservations: none. Noes, 2 (Senator(s) Awa, DeCorte). Excused, 0 (none). Transmitted to House.
2025-04-04 S
48 Hrs. Notice 04-08-25.
2025-04-04 S
Reported from WAM/JDC (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 1736) with recommendation of passage on Third Reading, as amended (SD 2).
2025-04-01 S
The committee(s) on JDC recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in JDC were as follows: 4 Aye(s): Senator(s) Rhoads, Gabbard, Chang, San Buenaventura; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 1 No(es): Senator(s) Awa; and 0 Excused: none.
2025-04-01 S
The committee on JDC reconsidered its previous decision.
2025-04-01 S
The committee(s) on WAM recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in WAM were as follows: 11 Aye(s): Senator(s) Dela Cruz, Moriwaki, Aquino, Elefante, Hashimoto, Inouye, Kanuha, Kidani, Kim, Wakai, Fevella; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 2 Excused: Senator(s) DeCoite, Lee, C..
2025-04-01 S
The committee(s) on JDC recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in JDC were as follows: 5 Aye(s): Senator(s) Rhoads, Gabbard, Chang, San Buenaventura, Awa; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none.
2025-03-27 S
The committee(s) on WAM/JDC will hold a public decision making on 04-01-25 10:00AM; Conference Room 211 & Videoconference.
2025-03-21 S
Report adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referred to WAM/JDC.
2025-03-21 S
Reported from PSM (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 1229) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to WAM/JDC.
2025-03-19 S
The committee(s) on PSM recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in PSM were as follows: 3 Aye(s): Senator(s) Elefante, Wakai, Rhoads; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 1 No(es): Senator(s) DeCorte; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) Fukunaga.
2025-03-14 S
The committee(s) on PSM has scheduled a public hearing on 03-19-25 3:00PM; Conference Room 225 & Videoconference.
2025-03-06 S
Referred to PSM, WAM/JDC.
2025-03-06 S
Passed First Reading.
2025-03-06 S
Received from House (Hse. Com. No. 267).
2025-03-04 H
Passed Third Reading with none voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Garcia, Reyes Oda, Shimizu, Souza voting no (4) and Representative(s) Pierick, Ward excused (2). Transmitted to Senate.
2025-02-28 H
Reported from FIN (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 1141), recommending passage on Third Reading.
2025-02-25 H
The committee on FIN recommend that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes were as follows: 13 Ayes: Representative(s) Yamashita, Takenouchi, Grandinetti, Holt, Hussey, Keohokapu-Lee Loy, Kitagawa, Lamosao, Lee, M., Miyake, Morikawa, Templo; Ayes with reservations: Representative(s) Alcos; Noes: none; and 3 Excused: Representative(s) Kusch, Reyes Oda, Ward.
2025-02-21 H
Bill scheduled to be heard by FIN on Tuesday, 02-25-25 12:00PM in House conference room 308 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE.
2025-02-14 H
Passed Second Reading as amended in HD 1 and referred to the committee(s) on FIN with Representative(s) Matsumoto voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Garcia, Muraoka, Pierick, Shimizu, Souza voting no (5) and Representative(s) Cochran, Matayoshi, Poepoe, Ward excused (4).
2025-02-14 H
Reported from JHA (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 697) as amended in HD 1, recommending passage on Second Reading and referral to FIN.
2025-02-12 H
The committee on JHA recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 8 Ayes: Representative(s) Tarnas, Poepoe, Belatti, Hashem, Kahaloa, Perruso, Takayama, Todd; Ayes with reservations: none; 2 Noes: Representative(s) Garcia, Shimizu; and 1 Excused: Representative(s) Cochran.
2025-02-07 H
Bill scheduled to be heard by JHA on Wednesday, 02-12-25 2:00PM in House conference room 325 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE.
2025-01-21 H
Referred to JHA, FIN, referral sheet 2
2025-01-21 H
Introduced and Pass First Reading.
2025-01-17 H
Pending introduction.

Official Summary Text

RELATING TO GUN VIOLENCE PREVENTION.
AG; DLE; Gun Violence and Violent Crimes Commission; Office of Gun Violence Prevention; Gun Violence Prevention Special Fund; Gun Violence Resource Bank; Gun Establishment; Grants; Appropriations ($)
Establishes the Office of Gun Violence Prevention to conduct community outreach on gun violence prevention, develop and administer a grant program for gun violence prevention, and develop and administer a gun violence resource bank. Moves the Gun Violence and Violent Crimes Commission from the Office of the Attorney General to the Department of Law Enforcement. Replaces the Attorney General with the Director of Law Enforcement as Chair of the Gun Violence and Violent Crimes Commission and includes the Attorney General as a commission member. Establishes the Gun Violence Prevention Special Fund and appropriates funds into and out of the special fund. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2077. (SD2)

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

HB664

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

664

THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025

STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating
to gun violence prevention
.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

����
SECTION
1.
�
The Hawaii Revised Statutes is
amended by adding a new chapter to be appropriately designated and to read as
follows:

"
Chapter

Office of gun violence prevention

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� -1
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Definitions.
�
As used in this chapter:

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"Director" means the director of
the office of gun violence prevention.

����
"Office" means the office of gun
violence prevention.

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� -2
�
Office of gun violence prevention;
established.
�
(a)
�
There is established within the department of
law enforcement, for administrative purposes only, an office of gun violence
prevention.

����
(b)
�
The head of the office of gun violence
prevention shall be known as the director of the office of gun violence
prevention and shall be appointed by the governor pursuant to section 26-34.

����
(c)
�
The director shall be responsible for:

����
(1)
�
Serving as the principal officer in state
government responsible for the performance, development, and control of
programs, policies, and activities under the jurisdiction of the office;

����
(2)
�
Administering funds allocated for the office
and applying for, receiving, and disbursing grants and donations from all
sources for gun violence prevention;

����
(3)
�
Assessing the policies and practices of other
state and county agencies relating to gun violence prevention; and

����
(4)
�
Advising state and county agencies on new
legislation, programs, and policy initiatives relating to gun violence
prevention.

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(d)
�
The office of gun violence prevention shall:

����
(1)
�
Conduct public awareness campaigns in a
culturally appropriate manner to educate Hawaii residents about state and
federal laws and existing resources relating to gun violence prevention,
including but not limited to:

���������
(A)
�
Safe and responsible gun ownership;

���������
(B)
�
Reporting of lost or stolen firearms,
including any state reporting requirements;

���������
(C)
�
Best practices for safe storage of firearms;

���������
(D)
�
Filing and obtaining orders of protection; and

���������
(E)
�
Accessing available mental health and
substance use resources;

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(2)
�
Administer a grant program for organizations
to conduct community-based gun violence intervention initiatives focused on
interrupting cycles of gun violence, trauma, and retaliation that are
evidence-informed and have demonstrated promise at reducing gun violence
without contributing to mass incarceration;

����
(3)
�
Create and maintain a resource bank as a
repository for data, research, and statistical information regarding gun
violence in Hawaii; and

����
(4)
�
Develop a plan to address gun violence in
Hawaii and coordinate, improve, and expand upon existing plans for gun violence
prevention.

����
(e)
�
The office may collaborate with any other
state or county agency to fulfill the purposes of this chapter.

����
� -3
�
Grant program.
�
(a)
�
There is established a gun violence
prevention grant program to be developed and administered by the office of gun
violence prevention.
�
Subject to
availability of funds, the office shall award grants to organizations to
conduct community-based gun violence intervention initiatives.

����
(b)
�

The office shall develop criteria for the awarding of grants and shall
establish standards, policies, and procedures for the administration of the gun
violence prevention grant program.

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� -
4
�
Gun violence prevention special fund.
�

(a)
�
There is established in the
state treasury the gun violence prevention special fund, to be administered by
the office of gun violence prevention, into which shall be deposited all moneys
received by the office in the form of:

����
(1)
�
Grants;

����
(2)
�
Donations; and

����
(3)
�
Appropriations made by the legislature to the
fund.

����
(b)
�
The office shall submit an annual report to
the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of each
regular session on the sources of moneys deposited into the fund and
expenditures of moneys from the fund.

����
� -5
�
Gun violence resource bank; duties.
�
(a)
�
The
office shall create and maintain a resource bank of regularly updated and
accurate materials and resources as a repository for data, research, and
statistical information regarding gun violence in the State.

����
(b)
�
As part of maintaining the resource bank, the
office shall:

����
(1)
�
Assist researchers who are seeking information
about gun violence in the State;

����
(2)
�
Collaborate with researchers, including
organizations that conduct gun violence research, to:

���������
(A)
�
Identify gaps in available data needed for gun
violence prevention research and develop strategies to improve relevant data
collection the State;

���������
(B)
�
Use existing available research to enhance
evidence-based gun violence prevention tools and resources available to
communities in the State; and

���������
(C)
�
Improve the understanding of the
disproportionate barriers to safety from gun violence by encouraging
disaggregation of data by race and ethnicity when research id conducted; and

����
(3)
�
Promote new and relevant research regarding
gun violence prevention and, if possible, make this research accessible to
researchers and the public.

����
� -6
�
Reporting.
�
The office shall submit an annual report to
the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of each
regular session that contains a summary of its activities during the preceding
year, including:

����
(1)
�
Grants awarded;

����
(2)
�
The office's engagement with community
entities and other stakeholders; and

����
(3)
�
Any other findings and recommendations,
including any proposed legislation.

����
� ‑7
�
Rules.
�

The office shall adopt rules pursuant to chapter 91 to carry out the
purposes of this chapter."

����
SECTION
2
.
�
There
is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of
$ or so much
thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2025-2026
and the same sum
or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027
to be deposited into the gun
violence prevention special fund.

����
SECTION
3
.
�
There
is appropriated out of the gun violence prevention special fund the sum of
$ or so much
thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2025-2026
and the same sum
or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027
for the awarding of grants
to organizations to conduct community-based
gun violence intervention initiatives
.

����
The sums appropriated shall be expended by
the office of gun violence prevention for the purposes of this Act.

����
SECTION
4.
�
There is appropriated out of the
general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of
$ or so much thereof as
may be necessary for fiscal year 2025-2026 and the same sum or so much thereof
as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 for the purposes of this Act,
including the hiring of personnel and the establishment of a gun violence
resource bank.

����
The sums

appropriated shall be expended by the
office of gun violence prevention for the purposes of this Act.

����
SECTION 5.
�
This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2025.

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

Report Title:

Office of
Gun Violence Prevention; Gun Violence Prevention Special Fund; Gun Violence Resource
Bank; Establishment; Grants; Appropriation

Description:

Establishes
the Office of Gun Violence Prevention to conduct community outreach on gun
violence prevention, develop and administer a grant program for gun violence
prevention, and develop and administer a gun violence resource bank.
�
Establishes the Gun Violence Prevention
Special Fund and appropriates funds into and out of the special fund.
�
Appropriates funds.

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not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.