STAND. COM. REP. NO. 270

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    S.B. No. 1060

 

 

 

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fifth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2009

State of Hawaii

 

Madam:

 

     Your Committee on Public Safety and Military Affairs, to which was referred S.B. No. 1060 entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO FIREWORKS,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this measure is to increase the permit fee for purchase of fireworks and for license fees for fireworks.

 

     Specifically, the measure increases the following fees:

 

     (1)  For the use of consumer fireworks during religious, cultural, and authorized events or dates, from $25 to $35;

 

     (2)  For the use of aerial devices, display fireworks, or articles pyrotechnic, from $110 to $250; and

 

     (3)  For an importer license fee, from $3,000 to $4,000.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the State Fire Council; Honolulu Fire Department; Kauai Fire Department; and American Lung Association.  Testimony in opposition was received from the Legislative Information Services of Hawaii and Pinky's 5 Eight.  Written testimony presented to the Committee may be reviewed on the Legislature's website.

 

     Fireworks permit and import fees have not increased in nine years, even though the cost of services provided by fire, police, and emergency medical personnel continues to increase.  In addition, the counties bear the cost of cleaning the streets and parks after a fireworks display. 

 

     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. 1060 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.

 

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

 

 

 

____________________________

WILL ESPERO, Chair