HB 1483 Hawaii House · 2025 Regular Session

RELATING TO FIREWORKS.

Summary

Establishes various criminal offenses and penalties related to fireworks or articles pyrotechnic. Amends multiple definitions and penalties for fireworks offenses, including heightened penalties if another person suffers substantial bodily injury, serious bodily injury, or death as a result of the fireworks offenses. Adds fireworks infractions to the existing adjudication of infractions process for traffic and emergency period infractions. (CD2)

Issues: ✓ Criminal Justice

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2025

Committee Review

Apr 2025

House Passage

May 2025

Senate Passage

May 2025

Signed into Law

Jun 2025

Introduced Jan 23, 2025 Signed Jun 30, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 6 comparisons

What changed between versions

HB1483_HD1 → HB1483_SD1 · 7 edits

MODERATE

This bill significantly strengthens Hawaii's fireworks control laws by creating new criminal offenses with felony penalties, establishing a streamlined adjudication system for fireworks infractions similar to traffic violations, and expanding enforcement mechanisms. The changes matter because they aim to reduce public safety risks from illegal fireworks while ensuring efficient processing of violations.

Scope change

The bill expands the scope of fireworks regulations to include stricter prohibitions on aerial devices and consumer fireworks, adds new criminal offenses for sending/receiving fireworks by air delivery and distributing to non-permit holders, and extends the infraction adjudication system to cover fireworks violations alongside traffic and emergency period infractions.

ENFORCEMENT

New criminal offenses created with felony penalties for sending or receiving fireworks by air delivery and distributing fireworks to non-permit holders.

Fireworks infractions now processed through the existing traffic infraction adjudication system for faster, more efficient handling of violations.

New requirements for carriers shipping fireworks into Hawaii to notify state and county officials before arrival.

REQUIREMENT

Stricter prohibitions on setting off fireworks near sensitive locations including hospitals, schools, and dwellings with specific distance requirements.

Extended prohibited sale times for consumer fireworks to include after New Year's Day, Chinese New Year's Day, and Fourth of July.

DEFINITION

Updated definitions of 'aerial devices' and 'consumer fireworks' to clarify what items are regulated and prohibited.

ADDED

Enhanced penalties for repeat offenders and those causing injury or death, with strict liability for certain circumstances.

HB1483_CD1_SFA12 → HB1483_CD2 · 6 edits

MODERATE

This bill transforms Hawaii's fireworks laws from a patchwork of misdemeanor and felony provisions into a comprehensive system with new criminal offenses, stricter penalties, and a streamlined adjudication process. It creates specific prohibitions for sending fireworks via air delivery, establishes graduated felony penalties based on injury severity and repeat offenses, and incorporates fireworks infractions into the existing traffic violation system for faster processing.

Scope change

The bill expands the scope of enforcement by adding new criminal offenses for general fireworks use, air delivery violations, and distribution to non-permit holders, while also incorporating fireworks infractions into the traffic violation adjudication system for more efficient processing.

ENFORCEMENT

New criminal offenses created for general fireworks use in prohibited areas, sending/receiving fireworks via air delivery, distributing to non-permit holders, and removing pyrotechnic contents, with penalties ranging from misdemeanors to class A felonies.

Fireworks infractions now processed through the same streamlined system used for traffic violations, allowing faster adjudication without requiring court appearances for minor cases.

REQUIREMENT

New requirement for carriers shipping fireworks into Hawaii to notify county officials and state law enforcement at least 14 days before arrival, with escalating fines for repeat violations.

New prohibition on distributing consumer fireworks more than five days before authorized use periods and after specific times on New Year's Day, Chinese New Year's Day, and July 4th.

DEFINITION

Updated definitions for 'aerial device' and 'consumer fireworks' to clarify what products are regulated and how they are classified under federal standards.

ELIGIBILITY

Enhanced penalties for repeat offenders and those causing injury or death, with strict liability provisions that remove the need to prove intent for certain circumstances.

HB1483 → HB1483_CD1 · 9 edits

MAJOR

This bill significantly strengthens Hawaii's fireworks laws by creating new criminal offenses with felony penalties, establishing a streamlined adjudication system for minor violations similar to traffic infractions, and expanding enforcement authority. The changes aim to reduce public safety risks from illegal fireworks while providing more efficient legal processing for violations.

Scope change

The bill expands the scope of prohibited activities and increases penalties for violations, while also creating a new administrative process for handling minor fireworks infractions separately from criminal prosecutions.

ENFORCEMENT

New criminal offenses created for sending/receiving fireworks by air delivery, distributing to non-permit holders, and removing pyrotechnic contents from fireworks.

Penalties increased for general fireworks violations, with class C, B, and A felony charges based on injury severity and repeat offenses.

Enhanced penalties for homeowners and property owners who allow fireworks use or storage on their property, ranging from petty misdemeanors to felonies based on circumstances.

New inspection authority granted to inspectors to enter licensed premises and access records, with penalties for obstruction or refusal of entry.

REQUIREMENT

New requirement for carriers shipping fireworks to notify state fire marshal before arrival, with escalating fines for repeat violations.

New adjudication system created for fireworks infractions that allows for streamlined processing similar to traffic violations, including monetary assessments and administrative fees.

New requirement for health care facilities to report serious injuries and fatalities caused by fireworks to the Department of Health and county police.

DEFINITION

New definitions added for 'carrier', 'distribute', 'dwelling', 'serious bodily injury', 'substantial bodily injury', 'aerial device', 'consumer fireworks', 'display fireworks', 'fireworks', 'import', 'pyrotechnic composition', and 'pyrotechnic contents'.

Definition of 'aerial device' modified to clarify what constitutes prohibited aerial fireworks based on height and explosive content.

Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

May 2, 2025

Lower · Passed

Passed Final Reading as amended in CD 2 with none voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Garcia, Muraoka voting no (2) and Representative(s) Cochran, Iwamoto excused (2).

lower

May 2, 2025

Upper · Passed

Passed Final Reading, as amended (CD 2). Ayes, 23; Aye(s) with reservations: none. Noes, 2 (Senator(s) Awa, DeCorte). Excused, 0 (none).

upper

Apr 30, 2025

Introduced

Report filed.

upper

Apr 30, 2025

Upper · Passed

Separated Committee Report.

upper

Apr 30, 2025

Upper · Passed

Floor amendment adopted as amended (CD 2).

upper

Apr 30, 2025

Introduced

Floor Amendment No. 12 offered.

upper

Apr 30, 2025

Lower · Passed

Floor amendment adopted as amended CD 2 with none voting no and Representative(s) Cochran, Garcia excused.

lower

Apr 30, 2025

Introduced

Floor Amendment No. 7 offered by Rep. Tarnas.

lower

Apr 25, 2025

Introduced

48 Hrs. Notice (as amended CD 1) 04-30-25

upper

Apr 25, 2025

Upper · Passed

Reported from Conference Committee as amended CD 1 (Conf. Com. Rep. No. 233).

upper

Apr 25, 2025

Lower · Passed

Reported from Conference Committee (Conf Com. Rep. No. 233) as amended in (CD 1).

lower

Apr 25, 2025

Upper · Passed

The Conference committee recommends that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes of the Senate Conference Managers were as follows: 5 Aye(s): Senator(s) Elefante, Rhoads, Kim, Wakai, Fevella; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none.

upper

Apr 25, 2025

Lower · Passed

The Conference Committee recommends that the measure be Passed, with Amendments. The votes were as follows: 3 Ayes: Representative(s) Tarnas, Kitagawa, Shimizu; Ayes with reservations: none; 0 Noes: none; and 0 Excused: none.

lower

Apr 24, 2025

Lower · Passed

Conference Committee Meeting will reconvene on Friday 04-25-25 3:30PM in conference room 325.

lower

Apr 23, 2025

Lower · Passed

Conference Committee Meeting will reconvene on Thursday 04-24-25 3:30PM in conference room 325.

lower

Apr 22, 2025

Lower · Passed

Conference Committee Meeting will reconvene on Wednesday 04-23-25 3:30PM in conference room 325.

lower

Apr 21, 2025

Lower · Passed

Conference Committee Meeting will reconvene on Tuesday 04-22-25 3:30PM in conference room 325.

lower

Apr 17, 2025

Lower · Passed

Bill scheduled for Conference Committee Meeting on Monday, 04-21-25 3:45PM in conference room 325.

lower

Apr 10, 2025

Amended

House disagrees with Senate amendment (s).

lower

Apr 8, 2025

Introduced

Returned from Senate (Sen. Com. No. 772) in amended form (SD 1).

lower

Apr 8, 2025

Upper · Passed

Report Adopted; Passed Third Reading. Ayes, 23; Aye(s) with reservations: Senator(s) San Buenaventura. Noes, 2 (Senator(s) Awa, DeCorte). Excused, 0 (none). Transmitted to House.

upper

Apr 4, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on WAM recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes in WAM were as follows: 13 Aye(s): Senator(s) Dela Cruz, Moriwaki, Aquino, DeCoite, Elefante, Hashimoto, Inouye, Kanuha, Kidani, Kim, Lee, C., Wakai, Fevella; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none.

upper

Apr 2, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on WAM will hold a public decision making on 04-04-25 10:46AM; Conference Room 211 & Videoconference.

upper

Mar 21, 2025

Committee

Reported from PSM/JDC (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 1268) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to WAM.

upper

Mar 13, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on JDC recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in JDC were as follows: 4 Aye(s): Senator(s) Rhoads, Gabbard, Chang; Aye(s) with reservations: Senator(s) San Buenaventura ; 1 No(es): Senator(s) Awa; and 0 Excused: none.

upper

Mar 13, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on PSM recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in PSM were as follows: 4 Aye(s): Senator(s) Elefante, Wakai, Fukunaga, Rhoads; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 1 No(es): Senator(s) DeCorte; and 0 Excused: none.

upper

Mar 10, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on PSM/JDC has scheduled a public hearing on 03-13-25 9:30AM; Conference Room 016 & Videoconference.

upper

Mar 4, 2025

Committee

Referred to PSM/JDC, WAM.

upper

Mar 4, 2025

Introduced

Received from House (Hse. Com. No. 178).

upper

Feb 28, 2025

Lower · Passed

Passed Third Reading with Representative(s) Shimizu voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Garcia voting no (1) and Representative(s) Cochran, Pierick, Templo, Ward excused (4). Transmitted to Senate.

lower

Feb 25, 2025

Lower · Passed

The committee on FIN recommend that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes were as follows: 13 Ayes: Representative(s) Yamashita, Takenouchi, Grandinetti, Holt, Hussey, Keohokapu-Lee Loy, Kitagawa, Lamosao, Lee, M., Miyake, Morikawa, Templo, Alcos; Ayes with reservations: none; Noes: none; and 3 Excused: Representative(s) Kusch, Reyes Oda, Ward.

lower

Feb 13, 2025

Committee

Reported from JHA (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 629) as amended in HD 1, recommending passage on Second Reading and referral to FIN.

lower

Feb 6, 2025

Lower · Passed

The committee on JHA recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 9 Ayes: Representative(s) Tarnas, Poepoe, Belatti, Hashem, Kahaloa, Perruso, Takayama, Todd; Ayes with reservations: Representative(s) Cochran; 1 Noes: Representative(s) Shimizu; and 1 Excused: Representative(s) Garcia.

lower

Jan 27, 2025

Committee

Referred to JHA, FIN, referral sheet 4

lower

Jan 23, 2025

Introduced

Introduced and Pass First Reading.

lower

28 primary · 0 co-sponsors