SB 1226 Hawaii Senate · 2026 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)

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2025

Committee Review

Feb 2025

Senate Passage

Feb 2025

House Passage

Governor

Introduced Jan 21, 2025 Last action Dec 8, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

SB1226 → SB1226_SD1 · 5 edits

MODERATE

This bill revision shifts the focus from a general state legislative finding to a specific State of Hawaii declaration, updating the bill number and metadata to reflect a Senate Draft version. The most significant policy change is the delay of the mandatory shipping container inspection program deadline from October 1, 2025, to July 1, 2027, allowing more time for preparation. Additionally, the bill adds new requirements for joint site designation between law enforcement and transportation departments, clarifies liability protections for employees, and assigns responsibility for securing seized illegal goods to law enforcement.

Scope change

The bill's scope was expanded to include specific operational details for the inspection program, such as joint site designation and liability exemptions, while the primary applicability regarding the inspection program was delayed by over two years.

TIMELINE

The mandatory start date for the shipping container inspection program was delayed from October 1, 2025, to July 1, 2027.

REQUIREMENT

Law enforcement and transportation departments must jointly designate a secure inspection site outside the immediate port area to avoid disrupting port activities.

ENFORCEMENT

Law enforcement is now explicitly responsible for securing any illegal goods recovered during inspections.

ADDED

Employees of both departments are granted immunity from personal liability for damages occurring during inspections, with the State bearing responsibility for damages to container goods.

TECHNICAL

The bill title and header metadata were updated to reflect the 'SD1' (Senate Draft 1) status and revised revision numbers.

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

Feb 11, 2025

Upper · Passed

Report adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referred to WAM.

upper

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