STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3353

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.R. No. 36

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Public Safety and Intergovernmental and Military Affairs, to which was referred S.R. No. 36 entitled:

"SENATE RESOLUTION URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF LAW ENFORCEMENT, FIRE DEPARTMENTS AND POLICE DEPARTMENTS OF EACH COUNTY, HUMANE SOCIETIES IN EACH COUNTY, AND MEDIA ORGANIZATIONS THROUGHOUT THE STATE TO COLLABORATE TO CREATE AND DISSEMINATE PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENTS TO HIGHLIGHT THE DANGERS OF, AND ADVOCATE AGAINST THE USE OF, ILLEGAL FIREWORKS IN ORDER TO PROTECT THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF THE COMMUNITY, PETS, AND WILDLIFE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to urge the Department of Law Enforcement, fire departments and police departments of each county, humane societies in each county, and media organizations throughout the State to collaborate to create and disseminate public service announcements to highlight the dangers of, and advocate against the use of, illegal fireworks to protect the health and safety of the community, pets, and wildlife.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources.

Your Committee finds that illegal fireworks in Hawaii pose a significant safety, environmental, and health issue. Your Committee further finds that the effects of illegal fireworks are significant and wide-ranging, including the physical injuries to and psychological effects on individuals, to the displacement of pets, and the negative impact on wildlife. Your Committee concludes that a public service announcement regarding the dangers of fireworks is necessary to protect communities, pets, and wildlife.

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 concurs with the intent and purpose of S.R. No. 36 and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Judiciary.

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