STAND. COM. REP. NO.  95-08

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2008

RE:   H.B. No. 2212

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2008

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Public Safety & Military Affairs, to which was referred H.B. No. 2212 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO FIREWORKS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of the measure is to give each county the flexibility to adopt more stringent restrictions on the sale and use of fireworks or articles pyrotechnic.

     Specifically, the measure allows counties to enact ordinances or rules more restrictive than state regulations of fireworks or articles pyrotechnic, as set forth in chapter 132D, Hawaii Revised Statutes, while ensuring that counties do not adopt rules that are less restrictive.

     Testimony in support of this measure was received from the Mayor of the County of Hawaii, the Fire Chief of the Hawaii Fire Department, and the President of the Puako Community Association.

     Your Committee recognizes that each county faces unique and changing situations, such as drought, other environmental conditions, cultural sensitivity to the role of fireworks in the State, and public safety concerns.  By allowing each county to adopt more stringent fireworks restrictions based upon community needs, this measure promotes effective policy-making while protecting public safety.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Public Safety & Military Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2212 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Judiciary.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Public Safety & Military Affairs,

____________________________

CINDY EVANS, Chair