SB 1324 Hawaii Senate · 2026 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)

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 Dec 8, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 3 comparisons

What changed between versions

SB1324_SD1 → SB1324_SD2 · 2 edits

MINOR

This bill revision updates the legislative metadata to reflect the second Senate version (SD2) and corrects formatting inconsistencies in the text. It also standardizes the formatting of section references throughout the document, replacing inconsistent spacing with uniform spacing for legal citations.

TECHNICAL

Updated bill metadata to change the version identifier from SD1 to SD2 and adjusted associated dates and reference numbers.

Standardized the formatting of internal section references (e.g., changing 'section -7' to 'section -7') throughout the text to ensure consistency.

SB1324 → SB1324_HD1 · 7 edits

MODERATE

This bill significantly strengthens Hawaii's fireworks laws by creating a new civil adjudication system for minor infractions to free up police resources, while simultaneously introducing harsher criminal penalties for serious offenses. The changes include stricter prohibitions on where fireworks can be used, expanded definitions of illegal acts, and new criminal charges for sending fireworks via air delivery or distributing them to unlicensed individuals. The bill also updates funding mechanisms and sets a future effective date of July 1, 3000.

Scope change

The bill expands the scope of enforcement by adding a dedicated civil court process for low-level violations and broadens the definition of prohibited acts to include sending fireworks via air delivery and distributing them to non-permit holders. It also extends liability to homeowners who allow illegal storage on their property.

ENFORCEMENT

Establishes a new civil adjudication system to handle minor fireworks infractions separately from criminal cases, allowing courts to process these violations more efficiently.

REQUIREMENT

Creates new criminal offenses for sending or receiving fireworks via air delivery and for distributing fireworks to people without valid permits.

Expands prohibited locations to include within 500 feet of any dwelling (previously only hotels) and clarifies strict liability for violations near sensitive areas like hospitals and schools.

Imposes liability on homeowners, renters, or property managers who knowingly allow illegal fireworks storage or use on their premises.

DEFINITION

Adds new definitions for 'aerial device,' 'consumer fireworks,' and 'import' to clarify what items are regulated under the law.

TIMELINE

Sets the effective date of the new laws to July 1, 3000, likely to allow time for legislative review and system implementation.

FISCAL

Updates appropriations to cover two fiscal years (2025-2026 and 2026-2027) to fund the new adjudication system and updates to the judiciary information management system.

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

Upper · Passed

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

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