STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1327

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2025

RE: S.B. No. 222

S.D. 1

H.D. 1

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Madame:

Your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred S.B. No. 222, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO FIREWORKS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Appropriate funds for the Illegal Fireworks Task Force; and

(2) Extend the sunset date of the Illegal Fireworks Task Force from June 30, 2025, to June 30, 2030, and require additional reports to the Legislature.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Law Enforcement; Honolulu Police Department; Pearl City Neighborhood Board No. 21; Hawaiian Humane Society; Oʻahu County Committee of Oʻahu County Democrats; and eight individuals. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Libertarian Party of Hawaii and four individuals.

Your Committee finds that the Illegal Fireworks Task Force, comprised of state and federal agencies, has successfully intercepted and seized thousands of pounds of illegal fireworks. Therefore, your Committee believes that this important work should continue and be supported by the Legislature.

Your Committee has amended this measure by making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

Your Committee respectfully requests your Committee on Finance, should it deliberate on this measure, to consider an appropriation amount of $1,265,000.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 222, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 222, S.D. 1, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs,

____________________________

DAVID A. TARNAS, Chair