STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1222-22

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2022

RE: S.B. No. 2185

S.D. 3

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 S.B. No. 2185, S.D. 3, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO FIREWORKS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Require the fireworks and articles pyrotechnic records auditor for each county to submit an annual report to the Legislature detailing inventory, recordkeeping, and sales of fireworks to license and permit holders; and

(2) Make a grant-in-aid to each county's fire department to cover costs associated with the annual reports.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the State Fire Council, Maui Fire Department, Honolulu Fire Department, and five individuals. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from one individual. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Budget and Finance.

Your Committee finds that, under existing law, each county funds an auditor to monitor strict inventory and recordkeeping requirements to ensure that sales of fireworks or articles pyrotechnic are made only to license or permit holders under the Fireworks Control Law. The reporting requirements proposed by this measure will increase surveillance of fireworks and articles pyrotechnic, with the ultimate goal of reducing the use of illegal fireworks throughout communities in the State

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Clarifying that the grants-in-aid are intended to be in addition to, and not replace, any funds provided to the counties; 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 S.B. No. 2185, S.D. 3, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2185, S.D. 3, 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