STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1267

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 806

H.D. 1

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Public Safety and Military Affairs and Judiciary, to which was referred H.B. No. 806, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO FIREWORKS,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to appropriate funds for the Department of Law Enforcement to conduct sting operations on Oahu to enforce fireworks ordinances or laws.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Law Enforcement, Hawaii State Fire Council, Honolulu Police Department, Honolulu Fire Department, Hawaiian Humane Society, and seven individuals.

Your Committees received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Libertarian Party of Hawaii and three individuals.

Your Committees find that illegal fireworks continue to pose a threat to public safety in the State. According to the Department of Law Enforcement in the testimony provided at the public hearing on this measure, effective enforcement of fireworks laws requires proactive measures such as sting operations, which allow law enforcement to identify and apprehend those who distribute and use illegal fireworks. Sting operations would be strategically designed to target areas with high incidences of illegal fireworks activity, particularly during peak seasons around New Year's celebrations and the Fourth of July. This measure will enhance the Department of Law Enforcement's ability to enforce fireworks laws by appropriating funding to enable the Department to conduct targeted sting operations on Oahu, including necessary personnel overtime, specialized equipment, and operational costs associated with planning and executing effective sting operations.

Your Committees have amended this measure by:

(1) Making it effective on July 1, 2025; and

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

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Public Safety and Military Affairs and Judiciary that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 806, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 806, 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 Committees on Public Safety and Military Affairs and Judiciary,

________________________________ KARL RHOADS, Chair

________________________________ BRANDON J.C. ELEFANTE, Chair