STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2195

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    S.B. No. 2365

       S.D. 1

 

 

 

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fifth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2010

State of Hawaii

 

Madam:

 

     Your Committee on Public Safety and Military Affairs, to which was referred S.B. No. 2365 entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO CONSUMER FIREWORKS,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this measure is to prohibit the use of consumer fireworks at any time, except for religious or cultural purposes as allowed by county permit.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from three government entities, one private nonprofit entity, and twenty-four individuals.  Testimony in opposition was received from one private entity and one individual.  Written testimony presented to the Committee may be reviewed on the Legislature's website.

 

     Your Committee finds that the Honolulu Fire Department and the Honolulu Emergency Services respond to numerous calls for service involving fireworks related incidents.  These calls put a tremendous strain on the resources of all emergency service providers.  Injuries or death due to fireworks are a major concern along with the health hazards to individuals with respiratory problems.

 

     Your Committee believes that each county's situation is unique in holiday celebrations with fireworks.  Therefore, each county should decide on the parameters of issuing county permits for fireworks used for religious or cultural purposes.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by allowing a county to opt out of the ban, in which case current law would still apply.

 

     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 S.B. No. 2365, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2365, S.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Judiciary and Government Operations.

 

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

 

		____________________________ WILL ESPERO, Chair