STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2733

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 3029

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2020

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Public Safety, Intergovernmental, and Military Affairs, to which was referred S.B. No. 3029 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO FIREWORKS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to increase the maximum fine for certain fireworks-related violations.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the State Fire Council, Honolulu Fire Department, Hawai‘i Fire Department, and Maui Fire Department. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from one individual.

Your Committee finds that the unlawful use of fireworks creates public health hazards and strains the emergency response capabilities of public safety agencies. Your Committee further finds that illegal fireworks are an ongoing issue in Hawaii and each year, there is an abundance of illegal fireworks, despite all the deterrents that are in place at the State level. Your Committee also finds that to address the issue of illegal fireworks, the Legislature enacted Act 170, Session Laws of Hawaii 2010, which established an Illegal Fireworks Task Force to develop a plan and make recommendations to stop the importation of illegal fireworks and explosives into Hawaii. According to the 2011 report of the Illegal Fireworks Task Force, increasing fines associated with illegal fireworks and explosives may act as a stronger deterrent to the illegal importation of fireworks. This measure will curtail the use of illegal fireworks by increasing the fines for the use of illegal fireworks in the State.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Public Safety, Intergovernmental, and Military Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 3029 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Judiciary.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Public Safety, Intergovernmental, and Military Affairs,

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CLARENCE K. NISHIHARA, Chair