STAND. COM. REP. NO. 243-22

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2022

RE: H.B. No. 1695

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2022

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce, to which was referred H.B. No. 1695 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO FIREWORKS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to increase the generally applicable statutory fine under the Fireworks Control Law from $2,000 to $5,000.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Public Safety, Hawaii State Fire Council, Hawaii Fire Department, Honolulu Fire Department, Maui Fire Department, Pearl City Neighborhood Board No. 21, Poi Dogs & Popoki, Kihei Community Association, and nine individuals.

Your Committee finds that the illegal use of fireworks continues to cause significant disruption and concern in communities throughout the State. Illegal aerial fireworks and improvised explosive devices have substantially increased in recent years, which have resulted in serious injuries, property damage, and fatalities. Your Committee further finds that a stronger deterrent is therefore needed to curtail the use of illegal fireworks. Increasing the fines associated with illegal fireworks, as proposed by this measure, may act as such a deterrent.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Changing the effective date to January 1, 2050, to encourage further discussion; and

(2) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1695, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1695, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Finance.

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

____________________________

AARON LING JOHANSON, Chair