STAND. COM. REP. NO. 378

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2021

RE: H.B. No. 508

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2021

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce, to which was referred H.B. No. 508 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO FIREWORKS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to increase compliance with the Fireworks Control Law by increasing the fines for violations of permissible uses of fireworks.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the State Fire Council, Honolulu Fire Department, Hawaiian Humane Society, and four individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Public Safety, Honolulu Police Department, and one individual.

Your Committee finds that the enforcement of the Fireworks Control Law is wanting. Your Committee further finds that enforcement is necessary to protect property from avoidable fire damage; protect persons from fire and explosion-related injuries; minimize respiratory distress caused by the air pollution; and avoid retraumatizing persons who may be adversely impacted by loud explosions.

To promote compliance with the Fireworks Control Law, your Committee finds that increasing the penalties under the Fireworks Control Law, as proposed by this measure, may help meet this objective.

Your Committee notes that the increased fine of up to $4,000 proposed by this measure only applies to setting off, igniting, discharging, or otherwise causing to explode a consumer firework, display firework, article pyrotechnic, or aerial device outside of the permissible times established in the Fireworks Control Law, while retaining the existing fine of up to $2,000 for all other violations.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Changing the effective date to January 1, 2050, to encourage further discussion; and

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

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 508, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 508, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce,

____________________________

AARON LING JOHANSON, Chair