STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3353

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 1695

H.D. 1

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2022

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Judiciary, to which was referred H.B. No. 1695, H.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 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, Honolulu Fire Department, Maui Fire Department, Pearl City Neighborhood Board, Animal Rights Hawai‘i, and three individuals. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from two individuals.

Your Committee finds that the use of illegal fireworks and improvised explosive devices has substantially increased in recent years. As a consequence, there have been serious injuries, property damage, and fatalities. The illegal fireworks task force established by Act 170, Session Laws of Hawaii 2010, recommended that the legislature consider increasing fireworks violation fines as a means to deter the use of illegal fireworks. In furtherance of that recommendation, this measure will deter the use of illegal fireworks and protect property and public safety by increasing the maximum fine that may be assessed against certain fireworks-related violations from $2,000 to $5,000.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Increasing the maximum penalty for homeowner violations pursuant to section 132D-14.5, Hawaii Revised Statutes, from $2,000 to $5,000;

(2) Making it effective upon its approval; and

(3) 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 Judiciary that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1695, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1695, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

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

________________________________

KARL RHOADS, Chair