STAND. COM. REP. NO. 959

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2019

RE: H.B. No. 497

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2019

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Judiciary, to which was referred H.B. No. 497 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO FIREWORKS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to limit the use of consumer fireworks by:

(1) Authorizing the sale and use of consumer fireworks only for cultural events; and

(2) Prohibiting the use of consumer fireworks on the three designated holidays, namely New Year's Eve, the Fourth of July, and Chinese New Year's Day.

The Hawaii State Fire Council, Honolulu Fire Department, Honolulu Police Department, Maui Fire Department, Kaua‘i Fire Department, and an individual testified in support of this measure. The Hawaii Food Industry Association, American Promotional Events, Inc. dba TNT Fireworks, and several individuals testified in opposition to this measure.

Upon careful consideration, your Committee has amended this measure by deleting its substance and replacing its contents with language establishing an Illegal Imports Task Force within the Department of the Attorney General to:

(1) Examine the illegal import of fireworks and other contraband into Hawaii; and

(2) Submit a final report, including its findings and recommendations, and any proposed legislation, to the Legislature no later than 30 days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2021.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 497, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 497, H.D. 1, and be placed on the calendar for Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Judiciary,

____________________________

CHRIS LEE, Chair