SB 308 Hawaii Senate · 2026 Regular Session

RELATING TO FIREARMS.

Summary

Expands the ban on pistols with a detachable magazine with over a ten-round capacity to any firearm with a detachable magazine with over a thirty-round capacity. Exempts detachable ammunition magazines with a capacity in excess of thirty rounds that are designed for or capable of use with any firearm other than a pistol obtained before 1/1/2026. Effective 1/1/2026. (SD2)

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2025

Committee Review

Mar 2025

Senate Passage

Mar 2025

House Passage

Governor

Introduced Jan 14, 2025 Last action Dec 8, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

SB308_SD1 → SB308_SD2 · 3 edits

MINOR

This bill significantly broadens the scope of Hawaii's magazine capacity restrictions by increasing the prohibited limit from ten rounds to thirty rounds for most firearms, while explicitly excluding pistols from this new higher limit. It also introduces a grandfather clause that allows individuals to legally possess high-capacity magazines for non-pistol firearms if they obtained them before the law takes effect. These changes aim to reduce the availability of high-capacity ammunition for rifles and shotguns while maintaining current rules for handguns.

Scope change

The bill expands the prohibition from applying only to pistols to include all firearms except pistols, and raises the capacity threshold from ten rounds to thirty rounds.

SCOPE

The ban on detachable ammunition magazines was expanded from applying only to pistols to applying to any firearm other than a pistol.

REQUIREMENT

The maximum legal capacity for detachable magazines was increased from ten rounds to thirty rounds for firearms other than pistols.

ELIGIBILITY

A grandfather clause was added allowing the legal possession of high-capacity magazines (over thirty rounds) for non-pistol firearms if they were legally obtained before the effective date.

Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Mar 6, 2025

Committee

Referred to JHA, referral sheet 19

lower

Mar 4, 2025

Introduced

Received from Senate (Sen. Com. No. 129) in amended form (SD 2).

lower

Mar 4, 2025

Upper · Passed

Report Adopted; Passed Third Reading, as amended (SD 2). Ayes, 20; Aye(s) with reservations: Senator(s) Aquino. Noes, 5 (Senator(s) Awa, DeCorte, Fevella, Gabbard, Richards). Excused, 0 (none). Transmitted to House.

upper

Feb 27, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on JDC recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in JDC were as follows: 3 Aye(s): Senator(s) Rhoads, Chang; Aye(s) with reservations: Senator(s) San Buenaventura ; 2 No(es): Senator(s) Gabbard, Awa; and 0 Excused: none.

upper

Feb 24, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on JDC will hold a public decision making on 02-27-25 10:01AM; Conference Room 016 & Videoconference.

upper

Feb 14, 2025

Upper · Passed

Report adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referred to JDC.

upper

Feb 14, 2025

Committee

Reported from PSM (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 555) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to JDC.

upper

Feb 12, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on PSM recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in PSM were as follows: 4 Aye(s): Senator(s) Elefante, Wakai, Fukunaga, Rhoads; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 1 No(es): Senator(s) DeCorte; and 0 Excused: none.

upper

Feb 7, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on PSM has scheduled a public hearing on 02-12-25 3:00PM; Conference Room 225 & Videoconference.

upper

Jan 21, 2025

Committee

Referred to PSM, JDC.

upper

Jan 15, 2025

Introduced

Introduced and passed First Reading.

upper

Jan 14, 2025

Introduced

Pending Introduction.

upper

4 primary · 0 co-sponsors