STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1626

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.C.R. No. 231

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 Transportation and Culture and the Arts and Public Safety and Military Affairs, to which was referred S.C.R. No. 231 entitled:

"SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION TO INSTALL AND UTILIZE ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT AT EACH STATE AIRPORT AND HARBOR TO SCAN FOR ILLEGAL FIREWORKS,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to request the Department of Transportation to install and utilize electronic equipment at each state airport and harbor to scan for illegal fireworks.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Transportation, Oahu Filipino Community Council, and two individuals.

Your Committees received testimony in opposition to this measure from one individual.

Your Committees received comments on this measure from Matson Navigation Company, Inc.

Your Committees find that the illegal importation and use of fireworks pose significant threats to public safety, property, and the environment in the State. The presence of illegal fireworks has led to hazardous conditions, including fires, injuries, and disturbances to residents and pets. Your Committees conclude that because current enforcement measures have proven insufficient in preventing the unlawful entry of fireworks into the State, scanning technology at state airports and harbors would serve to curb the import of fireworks.

Your Committees have amended this measure by:

(1) Specifying that for any commercial harbor, electronic scanning equipment is requested to be installed and utilized away from the harbor to ensure minimal disruptions to the flow of commerce;

(2) Amending its title accordingly; and

(3) 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 Transportation and Culture and the Arts and Public Safety and Military Affairs that are attached to this report, your Committees concur with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 231, as amended herein, and recommend its adoption in the form attached hereto as S.C.R. No. 231, S.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Transportation and Culture and the Arts and Public Safety and Military Affairs,

________________________________ BRANDON J.C. ELEFANTE, Chair

________________________________ CHRIS LEE, Chair