STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2528

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 2483

       S.D. 2

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Eighth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2016

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Health, to which was referred S.B. No. 2483, S.D. 1, 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)  Impose additional requirements upon shippers of fireworks;

     (2)  Expand the available exceptions to the general prohibition against using fireworks without a permit; and

     (3)  Amend labeling requirements for certain fireworks.

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

     Your Committee finds that existing law specifies certain requirements for licensed individuals or entities defined as "shippers" who import fireworks into the State.  This measure protects the health and safety of the community and the State's first responders by imposing additional requirements on shippers of fireworks, which will ensure a more comprehensive tracking of all shipments of fireworks imported into the State.  This measure also amends the labeling size for display fireworks, articles pyrotechnic, and aerial devices, for consistency with nationally recognized standards.

     Your Committee further finds that film and television production companies in Hawaii often employ pyrotechnics, which are used under the control of licensed pyrotechnic professionals who can execute these operations precisely and carefully.  The exemption from the general prohibition on fireworks contained in this measure will ensure that movie and television production companies with a valid permit can continue to use fireworks, aerial devices, or articles pyrotechnic in a safe manner.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity and consistency.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Health that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2483, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2483, S.D. 2.

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

________________________________

ROSALYN H. BAKER, Chair