Bill > HB806

This bill addresses the significant public safety risks posed by illegal fireworks in Hawaii by appropriating funds to the Department of Law Enforcement for two specific purposes. First, the bill allocates $500,000 for each of the fiscal years 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 to conduct sting operations on Oahu to enforce fireworks ordinances and laws under Chapter 132D of the Hawaii Revised Statutes. Second, the bill provides $2,000,000 for fiscal year 2025-2026 to establish an explosives and firearms laboratory on Oahu. The legislative findings highlight the extreme dangers of illegal fireworks, including potential fires, serious injuries, fatalities, environmental pollution, noise trauma for residents and veterans, and the strain on public safety agencies. The bill emphasizes the need for intelligence-led policing and criminal surveillance to deter illegal fireworks use, citing specific incidents like the Aliamanu New Year's Eve explosion of 2024. The appropriated funds aim to support law enforcement efforts to reduce illegal fireworks and protect community safety, with the bill set to take effect on July 1, 2025.

Budget and Finance, Government Affairs, Justice, Labor and Employment

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=806&year=2025