STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2622

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 2303

       S.D. 1

Honorable Donna Mercado Kim

President of the Senate

Twenty-Seventh State Legislature

Regular Session of 2014

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 2303 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO FIREWORKS PERMIT FEES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to increase the fireworks display permit fee, which authorizes licensed pyrotechnicians to conduct outdoor aerial fireworks and indoor fireworks for theatrical purposes, from $110 to $300.

     Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the County of Maui Department of Fire and Public Safety, the Kauai Fire Department, and the Hawaii State Fire Council.  Written comments in opposition were received from one individual.

     Your Committee finds that the fireworks display permit fee has remained the same for thirteen years, but the cost to process, review, and approve permits has increased.  This measure will address the increase in processing costs by raising the fireworks display permit fee.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

     (1)  Changing the permit fee increase to an unspecified amount; and

(2)  Changing its effective date to July 1, 2050, to facilitate further discussion.

     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. 2303, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2303, S.D. 1.

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

____________________________

DAVID Y. IGE, Chair