STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2522

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2923

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 S.B. No. 2923 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 maximum fine that may be assessed per fireworks-related violation from $2,000 to $5,000; provided that the fireworks violation does not otherwise have a specific penalty enumerated in statute.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Public Safety and one individual. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from one individual.

Your Committee finds that the use of aerial fireworks, including during celebrations, continues to cause significant disruption and concern and that a stronger deterrent is needed to curtail the use of illegal fireworks. According to the Report of the Illegal Fireworks Task Force to the Legislature for the Regular Session of 2011, increasing fines associated with illegal fireworks may act as a stronger deterrent. Your Committee believes that this measure will reduce the use of aerial fireworks, including during celebrations, by increasing the maximum fine that may be assessed per fireworks-related violation from $2,000 to $5,000; provided that the fireworks violation does not otherwise have a specific penalty enumerated in statute.

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 S.B. No. 2923 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

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

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KARL RHOADS, Chair