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Bill Summary · SB 401

Legislative bill overview

SB 401 is a Hawaii firearms regulation bill sponsored by Karl Rhoads, Glenn Wakai, and Stanley Chang that was carried over to the 2026 legislative session after undergoing committee amendments. The bill went through multiple recommittals to conference committee in April 2025, indicating significant revisions were made to its original language before being deferred.

Why is this important

Firearms legislation in Hawaii is particularly significant given the state's existing strict gun control framework—among the most restrictive in the nation. Any modifications to firearms law in Hawaii directly affect access to firearms, licensing procedures, and public safety policy in a state with one of the lowest gun violence rates in the country.

Potential points of contention

  • Scope of regulations unclear: Without access to the actual bill text or specific amendments (CD 1), the exact changes being proposed cannot be determined, making it difficult to assess whether the bill expands or restricts existing regulations
  • Conference committee involvement: The multiple recommittals to conference committee suggest significant disagreement between the House and Senate versions, indicating the measure was controversial among legislators
  • Deferral to 2026: The carryover suggests the bill lacked sufficient support or urgency to pass in the 2025 session, raising questions about its viability and stakeholder consensus

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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