STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3797

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 2503

H.D. 1

S.D. 2

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Judiciary, to which was referred H.B. No. 2503, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO FIREWORKS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

(1) Authorize civil asset forfeiture related to fireworks offenses that constitute felonies;

(2) Amend the definition of "aerial device"; and

(3) Clarify that the offense of sending or receiving fireworks or articles pyrotechnic by air delivery applies regardless of whether the offender accompanies the air delivery.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of the Attorney General, Department of Law Enforcement, Animal Interfaith Alliance in Britain, Maui Humane Society, and eleven individuals.

Your Committee finds that since its establishment under Act 67, Session Laws of Hawaii 2023, the Illegal Fireworks Task Force has removed nearly one hundred fifty thousand pounds of illegal fireworks from the State's streets. However, enforcement alone is not sufficient and an effective deterrence requires that those engaged in large-scale illegal fireworks activity face meaningful economic consequences. Civil asset forfeiture is a proven enforcement tool that removes the economic incentive from criminal activity and serves as a powerful deterrent. This measure will protect the safety and well-being of the State's residents and visitors through strong and effective fireworks regulation and enforcement.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Clarifying that a felony offense under chapter 132D, Hawaii Revised Statutes, could lead to a proceeding for civil asset forfeiture; and

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

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2503, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2503, H.D. 1, S.D. 2.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Judiciary,

________________________________

KARL RHOADS, Chair