STAND. COM. REP. NO. 245-22

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2022

RE: H.B. No. 1969

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2022

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce, to which was referred H.B. No. 1969 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO FIREWORKS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to require that counties offer monetary awards to individuals who report certain violations of the Fireworks Control Law.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaii State Fire Council, Hawaii Fire Department, Honolulu Fire Department, Maui Fire Department, Village Park Community Association, Hawaiian Humane Society, Pearl City Neighborhood Board No. 21, Poi Dogs & Popoki, and five individuals. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from one individual. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Budget and Finance.

Your Committee finds that the use of illegal fireworks has substantially increased in recent years. Your Committee further finds that additional enforcement and deterrence 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.

Your Committee finds that consideration of alternative methods of deterring the illegal use of fireworks and promoting compliance with the Fireworks Control Law, such as the one proposed by this measure, is warranted.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

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

(2) Making a technical, nonsubstantive amendment 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. 1969, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1969, 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