SB 1324 Hawaii Senate · 2025 Regular Session

RELATING TO FIREWORKS.

Summary

Establishes an adjudication system and procedures to process fireworks infractions. 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. Establishes various criminal offenses and penalties related to fireworks or articles pyrotechnics. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Issues: ✗ Criminal Justice

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2025

Committee Review

Mar 2025

Senate Passage

Mar 2025

House Passage

Governor

Introduced Jan 21, 2025 Last action Mar 21, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 3 comparisons

What changed between versions

SB1324_SD1 → SB1324_SD2 · 6 edits

MODERATE

This bill updates Hawaii's fireworks laws to create a new administrative infraction system for minor violations and establishes stricter criminal penalties for serious offenses. It adds new criminal charges for sending fireworks via air delivery and distributing to non-permit holders, while also updating definitions and enforcement procedures.

Scope change

The bill expands the scope of fireworks regulation by creating a new administrative adjudication system for minor infractions and adding new criminal offenses for specific violations like air delivery and distribution to non-permit holders.

ENFORCEMENT

New administrative infraction system created for minor fireworks violations, allowing faster processing without criminal charges for low-level offenses.

New criminal offenses established for sending or receiving fireworks via air delivery and distributing fireworks to people without permits.

REQUIREMENT

Updated definitions of fireworks categories including aerial devices, consumer fireworks, and display fireworks to clarify what is regulated.

Strengthened penalties for fireworks offenses that cause injury or death, with enhanced classifications for repeat offenders.

New requirement for carriers to notify county officials and state fire marshal about fireworks shipments before arrival.

FISCAL

Appropriation of funds to update the judiciary information management system to implement the new adjudication process.

SB1324 → SB1324_HD1 · 7 edits

MODERATE

This bill creates a new infraction system for low-level fireworks violations to reduce court burdens while establishing stricter criminal penalties for serious offenses. It adds new criminal offenses for illegal fireworks use, distribution, and air delivery, with penalties ranging from misdemeanors to felonies depending on injury or prior convictions. The bill also defines new terms, updates existing definitions, and appropriates funds for implementing the new adjudication system.

Scope change

The bill expands the scope by creating a dedicated adjudication system for fireworks infractions separate from criminal cases, while simultaneously increasing criminal penalties for serious violations. It applies statewide to all fireworks-related offenses.

ENFORCEMENT

Establishes a new fireworks infraction system allowing courts to process low-level violations separately from criminal cases, with options to admit guilt by mail or online without appearing in court.

REQUIREMENT

Creates new criminal offenses including general fireworks prohibitions, air delivery violations, distribution to non-permit holders, and pyrotechnic content removal, with penalties up to class A felonies for causing death or serious injury.

Requires carriers shipping fireworks to notify county officials and state fire marshals before arrival, with escalating fines for repeat violations.

DEFINITION

Updates definitions of 'aerial device', 'consumer fireworks', 'display fireworks', and 'fireworks' to align with federal standards and clarify what items are regulated.

FISCAL

Appropriates unspecified funds for fiscal years 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 to update the judiciary information management system for the new adjudication process.

TIMELINE

Sets the effective date as July 1, 3000, which appears to be a placeholder error that should be corrected to a realistic date.

ELIGIBILITY

Adds liability for homeowners and renters who allow fireworks storage or use on their property without proper permits or licenses.

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

Mar 21, 2025

Committee

Reported from JHA (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 1453) as amended in HD 1, recommending passage on Second Reading and referral to FIN.

lower

Mar 19, 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) Shimizu; 1 Noes: Representative(s) Garcia; and 1 Excused: Representative(s) Cochran.

lower

Mar 6, 2025

Committee

Referred to JHA, FIN, referral sheet 19

lower

Mar 4, 2025

Introduced

Received from Senate (Sen. Com. No. 307) in amended form (SD 2).

lower

Mar 4, 2025

Upper · Passed

Report Adopted; Passed Third Reading, as amended (SD 2). Ayes, 22; Aye(s) with reservations: none. Noes, 2 (Senator(s) Awa, DeCorte). Excused, 1 (Senator(s) Lee, C.). Transmitted to House.

upper

Feb 19, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on WAM recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. 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

Feb 19, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on JDC recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in JDC were as follows: 3 Aye(s): Senator(s) Rhoads, Chang, San Buenaventura; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 1 No(es): Senator(s) Awa; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) Gabbard.

upper

Feb 14, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on JDC/WAM will hold a public decision making on 02-19-25 10:16AM; Conference Room 211 & Videoconference.

upper

Feb 12, 2025

Committee

Reported from PSM/TCA (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 290) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to JDC/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: 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

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: 4 Aye(s): Senator(s) Lee, C., Inouye, Elefante, Kanuha; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 1 No(es): Senator(s) DeCorte; and 0 Excused: none.

upper

Feb 4, 2025

Committee

Re-Referred to PSM/TCA, JDC/WAM.

upper

Jan 30, 2025

Upper · Passed

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

upper

Jan 27, 2025

Committee

Referred to PSM/TCA, WAM/JDC.

upper

Jan 23, 2025

Introduced

Introduced and passed First Reading.

upper

Jan 21, 2025

Introduced

Pending Introduction.

upper

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors