STAND. COM. REP. NO. 81

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 222

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Public Safety and Military Affairs, to which was referred S.B. No. 222 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO FIREWORKS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to amend Act 67, Session Laws of Hawaii 2023, to appropriate funds for the illegal fireworks task force for fiscal year 2025‑2026 and fiscal 2026‑2027 and to extend the sunset date of the Act from June 20, 2025, to June 30, 2030.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Law Enforcement, Honolulu Police Department, and three individuals.

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

Your Committee finds that Act 67, Session Laws of Hawaii 2023, established the Illegal Fireworks Task Force to do the following:

(1) Plan, coordinate, and engage in law enforcement operations to interdict illegal fireworks;

(2) Develop a comprehensive strategic plan to stop the importation of illegal fireworks and explosives into the State;

(3) Promote compliance with the state fireworks control laws; and

(4) Ensure the safety and security of the airports, harbors, and other facilities and institutions in the State against the discharge of illegal fireworks and explosives.

Your Committee finds that since its establishment, the Illegal Fireworks Task Force has demonstrated success in its operations. Working collaboratively with partner agencies, the Task Force has successfully removed over two hundred thousand pounds of illegal fireworks from the State's streets, with operations and investigations continuing to progress.

Accordingly, your Committee finds that extending the sunset date of the existence of this Task Force by an additional five years is crucial to maintaining this momentum and ensuring the long-term effectiveness of the Task Force's mission.

Your Committee further finds that the appropriation of funds is essential for the Task Force to continue its operations. These funds are necessary for administrative support staff, Task Force operations, and reimbursement to law enforcement agencies for Task Force-related law enforcement operations, including personnel costs, overtime, equipment, and the storage and disposal of confiscated fireworks.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Public Safety and Military Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 222 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 Public Safety and Military Affairs,

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BRANDON J.C. ELEFANTE, Chair