HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	1479
THIRTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2022
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO the reduced ignition propensity cigarette program.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that the reduced ignition propensity cigarette law took effect on September 30, 2009, and that the state fire council is responsible for administering this program. As stated in section 132C-1, Hawaii Revised Statutes, the intent of this law is "to require that only reduced ignition propensity cigarettes be sold in the State." The current statute allows moneys in the reduced ignition propensity cigarette special fund to be expended to employ a full-time administrator and an assistant. However, the job classification for the current reduced ignition propensity cigarette employee is a part-time program specialist. The statute also does not allow this employee to be exempt from chapters 76 and 89, Hawaii Revised Statutes, which is contrary to statute provisions provided in section 132-18, Hawaii Revised Statutes, for other state fire council staff employees.

Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to revise the reduced ignition propensity cigarette law to allow more flexibility in job classifications, including the flexibility to hire full- or part-time personnel, and be exempt from chapters 76 and 89, Hawaii Revised Statutes.

SECTION 2. Section 132C-9, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

"[[]§132C‑9[]]  Reduced ignition propensity cigarette program special fund. (a) There is established in the state treasury a reduced ignition propensity cigarette program special fund, into which shall be deposited [all] moneys collected by the state fire council from the reduced ignition propensity cigarette program pursuant to section 132C-4. [All interest] Interest earned or accrued on moneys deposited in the fund shall become part of the fund.

(b) Moneys in the reduced ignition propensity cigarette program special fund shall be administered and expended by the state fire council to defray the actual cost of activities and requirements of section 132C-4, including employing [one full-time] a full- or part-time administrator [and], one [full-time] full- or part-time administrative assistant [whose], and other full- or part-time staff personnel without regard to chapters 76 and 89. The administrator's, administrative assistant's, or other personnel's duties shall include:

(1) Adopting administrative rules for program implementation, establishing compliance inspections, and approving forms and enforcement procedures and guidelines;

(2) Receiving certifications for approximately six hundred different brands and styles of cigarettes from the manufacturers;

(3) Compiling a list of the cigarette brands and styles for which manufacturers have submitted certifications, verifying tax stamp compliance with the department of the attorney general, and posting the list of certified brands and styles on a state website for informational purposes only;

(4) Reviewing and approving, as needed, any alternative test methods or fire standard compliance markings submitted by the manufacturer; and

(5) If needed, submitting certified cigarettes to an accredited laboratory for testing to verify that performance standards have been met."

SECTION 3. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________
	By Request

Report Title:

State Fire Council Package; Fire Protection; Reduced Ignition Propensity Cigarette Program; Special Fund; Staff

Description:

Provides the State Fire Council additional flexibility in employing personnel to administer the reduced ignition propensity cigarette program.

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.