REPORT TITLE:
Fireworks Ban


DESCRIPTION:
Bans fireworks in counties with a population of more than 500,000
persons.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                        1771
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES                H.B. NO.           
TWENTIETH LEGISLATURE, 2000                                
STATE OF HAWAII                                            
                                                             
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                   A  BILL  FOR  AN  ACT

RELATING TO FIREWORKS.



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

 1      SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that the personal use of
 
 2 fireworks in the State is a serious threat to our community's
 
 3 health, safety, and welfare.
 
 4      While the legislature recognizes the popularity of fireworks
 
 5 in Hawaii and the cultural and historical significance of
 
 6 celebrations to the people of the State, including New Year's,
 
 7 Chinese New Year's, and the Fourth of July, the legislature
 
 8 nevertheless finds that the costs of fireworks to society greatly
 
 9 outweigh any benefits derived from its continued legalization, at
 
10 least in more densely crowded areas.
 
11      The purpose of this Act is to ban all fireworks in counties
 
12 with a population of more than 500,000 persons.
 
13      SECTION 2.  Chapter 132D, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is
 
14 amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated
 
15 and to read as follows:
 
16      "§132D-    Prohibition in counties with a population of more
 
17 than 500,000 persons.  (a)  Any other law to the contrary
 
18 notwithstanding, the sale, purchase, use, or possession of any
 
19 fireworks, aerial common fireworks, common fireworks, non-aerial
 

 
Page 2                                                     1771
                                     H.B. NO.           
                                                        
                                                        


 1 common fireworks, or special fireworks is strictly prohibited in
 
 2 counties with a population of more than 500,000 persons.
 
 3      (b)  Any violation of this section is a class C felony."
 
 4      SECTION 3.  This Act does not affect rights and duties that
 
 5 matured, penalties that were incurred, and proceedings that were
 
 6 begun, before its effective date.
 
 7      SECTION 4.  New statutory material is underscored.
 
 8      SECTION 5.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.
 
 9 
 
10                           INTRODUCED BY:  _______________________