STAND. COM. REP. NO. 124

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 821

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Public Safety and Intergovernmental and Military Affairs, to which was referred S.B. No. 821 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO FIREWORKS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to appropriate funds to the Department of Law Enforcement for the purchase of drones to monitor the use of illegal fireworks.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaiian Humane Society, Poi Dogs and Popoki, and seventeen individuals. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Honolulu Police Department and two individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Law Enforcement.

Your Committee finds that the use of illegal fireworks in the State has increased in recent years, with fireworks going off in certain neighborhoods for months at a time. Illegal fireworks create sustained stress on people and animals, which can do lasting damage to their emotional and physical health. Your Committee believes that local law enforcement should use modern technology and methods to enforce fireworks laws. This measure will reduce illegal fireworks usage in the State by appropriating funds to the Department of Law Enforcement for the purchase of drones to monitor the use of illegal fireworks.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Public Safety and Intergovernmental and Military Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 821 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 Intergovernmental and Military Affairs,

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GLENN WAKAI, Chair