Bill Text: HI SB165 | 2022 | Regular Session | Introduced


Bill Title: Relating To Fireworks

Spectrum: Strong Partisan Bill (Democrat 13-1)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2021-12-10 - Carried over to 2022 Regular Session. [SB165 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2022-SB165-Introduced.html

THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

165

THIRTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2021

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

RELATING TO FIREWORKS

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 


     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that Act 170, Session Laws of Hawaii 2010, established the illegal fireworks task force to develop strategies and make recommendations to the legislature to address the illegal importation and use of fireworks in the State.  Among other matters, the illegal fireworks task force recommended that the legislature consider increasing fireworks permit fees and violation fines to deter the use of illegal fireworks, decrease the supply of illegal fireworks in the State, and increase funding for prevention and enforcement efforts.

     The legislature also finds that Act 184, Session Laws of Hawaii 2019, directed the legislative reference bureau to update the illegal fireworks task force's findings and recommendations.  In the legislative reference bureau's updated report, the bureau noted that, although the legislature has introduced numerous measures to increase fireworks permit fees and violations fines since 2011, none of the measures were enacted.

     Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to implement recommendations of the illegal fireworks task force by:

     (1)  Raising the fireworks display permit fee from $110 to $150;

     (2)  Increasing the fine for certain fireworks violations from $2,000 per violation to $5,000 per violation;

     (3)  Clarifying that each aerial device, display firework, or article pyrotechnic having a total weight of twenty-five pounds or less that is illegally imported, transferred, or sold constitutes a separate violation; and

     (4)  Increasing the penalty for removing or extracting the pyrotechnic contents from any fireworks or articles pyrotechnic for certain uses.

     SECTION 2.  Section 132D-10, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

     "§132D-10  Permits.  A permit shall be required for the purchase and use of:

     (1)  Any consumer fireworks commonly known as firecrackers upon payment of a fee of $25;

     (2)  Any aerial devices, display fireworks, or articles pyrotechnic for the purposes of section 132D-16 upon payment of a fee of [$110;] $150; and

     (3)  Any consumer fireworks for the purposes of section 132D-5 or for cultural uses that occur at any time other than during the periods prescribed in section 132D-3(1) upon a payment of a fee of $25."

     SECTION 3.  Section 132D-14, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsections (a) and (b) to read as follows:

     "(a)  Any person:

     (1)  Importing aerial devices, display fireworks, or articles pyrotechnic without having a valid license under section 132D-7 shall be guilty of a class C felony; provided that each aerial device, display firework, or article pyrotechnic having a total weight of twenty-five pounds or less that is imported in violation of this paragraph shall constitute a separate violation;

     (2)  Purchasing, possessing, setting off, igniting, or discharging aerial devices, display fireworks, or articles pyrotechnic without a valid permit under sections 132D-10 and 132D-16, or storing, selling, or possessing aerial devices, display fireworks, or articles pyrotechnic without a valid license under section 132D-7, or allowing an individual to possess, set off, ignite, or otherwise cause to explode any aerial device in violation of section 132D-14.5:

          (A)  If the total weight of the aerial devices, display fireworks, or articles pyrotechnic is twenty-five pounds or more, shall be guilty of a class C felony; or

          (B)  If the total weight of the aerial devices, display fireworks, or articles pyrotechnic is less than twenty-five pounds, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor;

     (3)  Who transfers or sells aerial devices, display fireworks, or articles pyrotechnic to a person who does not have a valid permit under sections 132D-10 and 132D-16, shall be guilty of a class C felony; provided that each aerial device, display firework, or article pyrotechnic having a total weight of twenty-five pounds or less that is transferred or sold in violation of this paragraph shall constitute a separate violation; and

     (4)  Who removes or extracts the pyrotechnic contents from any fireworks or articles pyrotechnic and uses the contents to construct fireworks, articles pyrotechnic, or a fireworks or articles pyrotechnic related device shall be guilty of a [misdemeanor.] class C felony.

     (b)  Except as provided in subsection (a) or as otherwise specifically provided for in this chapter, any person violating any other provision of this chapter, shall be fined not more than [$2,000] $5,000 for each violation.  Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary in this section, any person violating section 132D-14.5 shall be fined at least $500 and no more than $2,000."

     SECTION 4.  This Act does not affect rights and duties that matured, penalties that were incurred, and proceedings that were begun before its effective date.

     SECTION 5.  Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 6.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

 

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

 

 


 


 

Report Title:

Fireworks; Permits; Licenses; Fees; Fines; Increase

 

Description:

Increases the fireworks display permit fee from $110 to $150 and the fine for certain fireworks violations from $2,000 per violation to $5,000 per violation.  Clarifies that each aerial device, display firework, or article pyrotechnic having a total weight of 25 pounds or less that is illegally imported, transferred, or sold constitutes a separate violation.  Increases the penalty for removing or extracting the pyrotechnic contents.

 

 

 

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.

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