SB 999 Hawaii Senate · 2025 Regular Session

RELATING TO FIREWORKS.

Summary

Repeals all permissible uses of consumer fireworks by minors. Establishes civil penalties for the use and sale of consumer fireworks, including nuisance abatement proceedings and forfeiture of assets used in the commission of the illegal use or sale of consumer fireworks. Appropriates funds to the Department of Law Enforcement to provide for community safety education programs. Effective 7/1/2077. (SD1)

Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2025

Committee Review

Floor Vote

Governor

Introduced Jan 17, 2025 Last action Feb 14, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

SB999 → SB999_SD1 · 7 edits

MODERATE

This bill significantly tightens Hawaii's fireworks laws by eliminating all exceptions that previously allowed minors to legally use fireworks under parental supervision, establishing new civil penalties including fines and mandatory education for violations, and creating a special fund for community safety education. The legislation also expands forfeiture provisions to seize assets used in fireworks violations and adds nuisance abatement proceedings for repeat offenders.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded from prohibiting only unauthorized fireworks use to establishing comprehensive civil penalties, asset forfeiture mechanisms, and nuisance abatement proceedings specifically targeting fireworks-related offenses.

ELIGIBILITY

Removed all permissible uses of consumer fireworks by minors, including the previous exception allowing supervised use by parents or guardians

ENFORCEMENT

Added new civil penalties including $1,000 fines, mandatory two hours of fireworks education, and potential community service for violations

Established asset forfeiture provisions allowing seizure of fireworks, storage facilities, vehicles, and other assets used in violations

Created nuisance abatement proceedings for violations of specific fireworks offenses, allowing legal action against properties used for illegal fireworks activities

FISCAL

Created a firework forfeiture special fund administered by the Department of Law Enforcement and appropriated funds for community safety education programs

REQUIREMENT

Modified permit requirements to include stricter controls on sales to permittees and added inspection fees for display sites

TIMELINE

Set effective date of July 1, 2077 (appears to be a placeholder or error in the draft)

Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Feb 14, 2025

Committee

Reported from PSM/CPN (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 551) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to WAM/JDC.

upper

Feb 11, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on CPN recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in CPN were as follows: 3 Aye(s): Senator(s) Keohokalole, Fukunaga, Richards; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 2 Excused: Senator(s) McKelvey, Awa.

upper

Feb 10, 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

Jan 31, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on PSM/CPN has scheduled a public hearing on 02-05-25 9:30AM; Conference Room 229 & Videoconference.

upper

Jan 23, 2025

Committee

Referred to PSM/CPN, WAM/JDC.

upper

Jan 17, 2025

Introduced

Introduced.

upper

3 primary · 1 co-sponsor