STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3166

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 2503

H.D. 1

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Public Safety and Military Affairs, to which was referred H.B. No. 2503, H.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 Law Enforcement, Hawaiian Humane Society, Maui Humane Society, Animal Interfaith Alliance in Britain, and twelve individuals.

Your Committee finds that Act 67, Session Laws of Hawaii 2023, established the Illegal Fireworks Task Force to plan, coordinate, and engage in law enforcement operations to interdict illegal fireworks, develop a comprehensive plan to stop the importation of illegal fireworks and explosives, promote compliance with state fireworks control laws, and ensure the safety and security of airports, harbors, and other facilities in the State. While the Task Force has taken essential enforcement actions, including the removal of nearly two hundred thousand pounds of illegal fireworks from the State's streets, further enforcement mechanisms are necessary. By authorizing civil asset forfeiture related to fireworks and clarifying other fireworks-related provisions, this measure ensures the ongoing efficacy of firework enforcement operations and bolsters public safety in the State.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Inserting an effective date of July 1, 2055, to encourage further discussion; 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 Public Safety and Military Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2503, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2503, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Judiciary.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Public Safety and Military Affairs,

________________________________

CAROL FUKUNAGA, Chair