STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2007

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 2053

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fifth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2010

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committees on Public Safety and Military Affairs and Transportation, International and Intergovernmental Affairs, to which was referred S.B. No. 2053 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO FIREWORKS,"

beg leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to:

(1)  Increase the permit fees for the purchase and use of consumer fireworks and increase the penalty for use of illegal fireworks; and

(2)  Clarify that certain permit fees and fines collected may be used by county law enforcement personnel for purposes relating to fireworks.

     Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from two government entities, one neighborhood board, one community nonprofit organization, and four private citizens.  Testimony in opposition was received from one private entity.  Written testimony presented to the Committees may be reviewed on the Legislature's website.

     Your Committees find that the expanded use of illegal fireworks has escalated to a serious public health and safety problem.  The air pollution produced by consumer fireworks causes respiratory difficulties for the elderly, young children, and persons with existing respiratory ailments.  An immediate reduction in illegal fireworks use is necessary to protect the health and safety of people in this State.

     Testimony on this measure indicates that fireworks permit fees are not currently earmarked for any particular purpose by the counties.   This measure would dedicate those revenues for the purpose of county law enforcement.

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Public Safety and Military Affairs and Transportation, International and Intergovernmental Affairs that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2053 and recommend that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committees on Judiciary and Government Operations and Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Public Safety and Military Affairs and Transportation, International and Intergovernmental Affairs,

____________________________ J. KALANI ENGLISH, Chair

____________________________ WILL ESPERO, Chair