STAND. COM. REP. NO. 661

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 1060

       S.D. 1

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fifth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2009

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 1060 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO FIREWORKS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to increase the permit and license fees associated with using and importing fireworks.

     Your Committee received two written comments on this measure.  The written comments may be reviewed on the Legislature's website.

     Your Committee finds that fireworks permit and import license fees have not increased in the last nine years.  Meanwhile, the cost of services provided by police, fire, and emergency personnel that respond to fireworks related incidences continues to increase.  In addition, the counties bear the cost and responsibility of cleaning streets and parks that are littered with fireworks and debris.  Your Committee also finds that the administrative costs have increased due to the rising number of fireworks display permits and the need to properly account for pyrotechnic inventory items.  You Committee believes that an increase in fireworks related fees will help cover the costs associated with protecting the public's safety and administering fireworks laws.

     Your Committee has amended the measure to make a technical nonsubstantive correction.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1060, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 1060, S.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

____________________________

DONNA MERCADO KIM, Chair