S.B. 459 Summary

• Authorizes the Hawaii Department of the Attorney General to develop and implement a program to issue firearm qualification certifications to qualified retired law enforcement officers seeking to carry concealed firearms in Hawaii under the federal Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act (LEOSA).

• Adds new section 134 to Hawaii Revised Statutes establishing that qualified law enforcement officers and qualified retired law enforcement officers carrying concealed firearms under federal law must comply with all Hawaii state laws and applicable regulations.

• Specifies that qualified retired law enforcement officers carrying concealed firearms under federal law are not authorized to act as law enforcement officers in Hawaii and are subject to state law as ordinary persons when not on official duty.

• Exempts qualified law enforcement officers carrying concealed firearms under federal law (18 U.S.C. § 926B) and qualified retired officers under federal law (18 U.S.C. § 926C) from Hawaii's existing concealed carry license requirements under section 134-9.

• Permits the Attorney General to adopt, amend, and repeal rules governing the issuance of firearm qualification certifications for qualified retired law enforcement officers.