STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2501

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 2302

Honorable Donna Mercado Kim

President of the Senate

Twenty-Seventh State Legislature

Regular Session of 2014

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection, to which was referred S.B. No. 2302 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO FIREWORKS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

     (1)  Add definitions and requirements for permanent and temporary consumer fireworks storage facilities; and

     (2)  Amend fireworks prohibitions and exceptions to those fireworks prohibitions.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaii State Fire Council; Honolulu Fire Department; Kauai Fire Department; and County of Maui, Department of Fire and Public Safety.

     Your Committee finds that fireworks can be an extremely dangerous product.  Fireworks also present potential dangers during its transport and storage.  To ensure the safety of the general public and the first responder community, this measure adds definitions for permanent and temporary consumer fireworks storage facilities based on nationally recognized standards for safety and best industry practices to protect life and property; creates two exceptions to the fireworks prohibitions for movie productions and for those authorized to dispose or test consumer fireworks; and requires permanent and temporary fireworks storage buildings to comply with applicable local codes or nationally recognized standards.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2302 and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection,

____________________________

ROSALYN H. BAKER, Chair