SB 1226 Hawaii Senate · 2025 Regular Session

RELATING TO FIREWORKS.

Summary

Establishes the Shipping Container Inspection Program. Requires the Department of Law Enforcement to submit reports to the Legislature on implementation of the Shipping Container Inspection Program. Exempts employees of the Department of Transportation and DLE from personal liability under certain conditions. Requires any damages to container goods be borne by the State. Requires DLE and DOT to designate a site outside of the immediate port area to conduct inspections. Require the DLE to secure all illegal goods. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Issues: ✓ Transportation

Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2025

Committee Review

Floor Vote

Governor

Introduced Jan 21, 2025 Last action Feb 11, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

SB1226 → SB1226_SD1 · 7 edits

MODERATE

This bill introduces a new shipping container inspection program to combat illegal fireworks importation in Hawaii. The version shown includes specific operational requirements like using sniffing dogs, prioritizing high-risk containers, and designating secure inspection sites outside commercial harbors. It also establishes funding, liability protections for employees, and reporting requirements to the legislature.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded from general fireworks control to specifically targeting illegal importation through a new shipping container inspection program with defined operational procedures.

REQUIREMENT

Establishes a mandatory shipping container inspection program beginning no later than July 1, 2027, using fireworks-sniffing dogs and risk-based prioritization of containers.

Requires the Department of Law Enforcement to submit implementation reports to the legislature within 40 days prior to the convening of the 2026 and 2027 regular sessions.

FISCAL

Appropriates $750,000 for fiscal years 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 to establish and administer the inspection program, including purchasing and maintaining at least two sniffing dogs.

ENFORCEMENT

Creates liability protections for department employees acting in accordance with the inspection program, with the State bearing responsibility for damages to container goods.

TIMELINE

Sets the program start date as July 1, 2027, with the Act taking effect on July 1, 2050.

DEFINITION

Defines 'low-risk container' as those containing goods for military, state/county agencies, or businesses in good standing with the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs.

TECHNICAL

Requires inspections to occur at designated secure sites outside immediate port areas to avoid impeding commercial harbor activities.

Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Feb 11, 2025

Committee

Reported from TCA/PSM (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 239) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to WAM.

upper

Feb 5, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on PSM recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in PSM were as follows: 5 Aye(s): Senator(s) Elefante, Wakai, Fukunaga, Rhoads, DeCorte; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none.

upper

Feb 5, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on TCA recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in TCA were as follows: 5 Aye(s): Senator(s) Lee, C., Inouye, Elefante, Kanuha, DeCorte; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none.

upper

Jan 30, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on TCA/PSM has scheduled a public hearing on 02-05-25 3:00PM; Conference Room 225 & Videoconference.

upper

Jan 27, 2025

Committee

Referred to TCA/PSM, WAM.

upper

Jan 23, 2025

Introduced

Introduced and passed First Reading.

upper

Jan 21, 2025

Introduced

Pending Introduction.

upper

8 primary · 5 co-sponsors