STAND. COM. REP. NO. 580

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    S.B. No. 173

       S.D. 2

 

 

 

Honorable Shan S. Tsutsui

President of the Senate

Twenty-Sixth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2011

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Judiciary and Labor, to which was referred S.B. No. 173, S.D. 1, entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO FIRE PROTECTION,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to prohibit the retail sale and distribution of novelty lighters within the State.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the State Fire Council, the Honolulu Fire Department, and the County of Maui Department of Fire and Public Safety.  Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from one individual.

 

     Your Committee finds that novelty lighters are lighters with features that are attractive to children, including visual effects, flashing lights, musical sounds, or toy-like designs.  Novelty lighters specifically have been connected to numerous fires across the country.  Due to their toy-like appearance, children have mistaken them for toys and have caused property damage, injury, or death.  For example, in September 25, 2007, two toddlers from Russellville, Arkansas, died after setting fire to their apartment with a motorcycle-shaped lighter.  Because some of these novelty lighters are indistinguishable from common children's toys, their appeal to children is obvious and dangerous.

 

     According to the National Fire Protection Association, from 2004 to 2008, children playing with lighters or matches accounted for over fifty-seven thousand fires, one hundred thirteen civilian deaths, nine hundred sixteen injuries, and $268,000,000 in property loss.  Additionally, forty-seven percent of the individuals who started fires using lighters or matches and sixty‑five percent of the resulting fatalities were children five years old or younger.

 

     According to testimony submitted to your Committee, in the City and County of Honolulu, during the period between 2003 and 2010, forty-eight fires were started by children playing with lighters, resulting in two deaths, fifteen fire-related injuries, and property and content damage estimated at $3,915,900.

 

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

 

     (1)  Removing the exemption for novelty lighters made in this State; 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 and Labor that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 173, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 173, S.D. 2.

 

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

 

 

 

____________________________

CLAYTON HEE, Chair