SCR 229 / SCR229_SD1 – Summary
Overview
- Type: Concurrent Resolution (statewide)
- Title: REQUESTING EACH COUNTY POLICE DEPARTMENT IN THE STATE TO PURCHASE AND DEPLOY EXPLOSION DETECTION TECHNOLOGY TO LOCATE AND RESPOND TO EXPLOSIONS CAUSED BY THE ILLEGAL USE OF FIREARMS AND FIREWORKS
- Purpose: Urge each county to adopt explosion detection technology (e.g., ShotSpotter or similar) to detect and respond to explosions from illegal firearms use and illegal fireworks; encourage training for officers; transmit copies to county leaders.
- Status: In the Hawaii Legislature, referred to Joint Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs (JHA). In the Senate, SD1 version passed the Senate and was transmitted to the House; House referral to JHA followed. Companion bill SR 205 exists.
Purpose and Intent
- The resolution asserts that Hawaii residents deserve peace and security and that illegal gunfire and illegal fireworks create public safety risks and health hazards.
- It highlights advances in explosion-detection technology that can instantly detect and locate the geographic origin of explosions.
- It notes reported benefits from deploying such technology, including:
- Notification of gunshots within about 40 seconds
- Faster police response
- Improved crime scene location identification
- Increased gunfire reporting and potentially reduced victim transport time
- The measure cites ShotSpotter as a leading example, used by more than 90 cities nationwide, and references its alleged positive impacts (though these are general statements within the resolution).
Key Provisions
- Request to Action: Each county police department is urged to purchase and deploy explosion detection technology to locate and respond to explosions from illegal firearms use and illegal fireworks.
- Training: Each county Chief of Police is urged to ensure appropriate training for officers in the use of the explosion-detection equipment.
- Communications: Certified copies of the resolution are to be transmitted to the Mayor, County Council Chair, and Chief of Police of each county.
Who is Affected
- County police departments statewide (and, by extension, county mayors and council chairs who would participate in the implementation).
- Law enforcement personnel who would operate and respond to alerts generated by the technology.
Implementation and Timeline
- The document is a resolution, not a statute, so it expresses intent and requests action rather than mandating funding or mandatory procurement.
- Procedural notes show cross-chamber consideration:
- Senate version SD1 amended and adopted; transmitted to the House (as of early April 2025).
- House process included referral to JHA.
- No specific funding amounts or statutory deadlines are provided in the text; implementation would depend on local county procurement decisions and budgets.
Financial Considerations
- The resolution itself does not authorize funding or set price limits. Any adoption would require county-level budget decisions and potential state assistance or grants.
Related Bills
- Companion measure: SR 205
Sponsors
- Primary sponsors: Kadani, Gabbard, Fevella
Notes
- As a concurrent resolution, SCR 229 / SCR229_SD1 expresses legislative support and guidance rather than creating enforceable obligations. It signals statewide policy preference for leveraging explosion-detection technology to improve public safety related to illegal firearms use and illegal fireworks.
