STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1032

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 508

H.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2021

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Public Safety, Intergovernmental, and Military Affairs, to which was referred H.B. No. 508, 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 fines associated with the illegal use of consumer fireworks and display fireworks, articles pyrotechnic, and aerial devices outside of the times permitted by law.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Health, State Fire Council, Hawaiian Humane Society, and four individuals. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from one individual.

Your Committee finds that, despite the potential for fines and arrest for the illegal use of fireworks, individuals continue to break the law concerning the lawful use of fireworks. Your Committee further finds that eighty per cent of fines collected by courts for violations of the Fireworks Control Law is required to be allocated to the counties for purposes of law enforcement, while twenty percent is allocated to the State. By increasing these fines, the police departments may have greater incentive to enforce those laws.

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 H.B. No. 508, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committees on Judiciary and Ways and Means.

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