SB 302 Hawaii Senate · 2025 Regular Session

RELATING TO FIREWORKS.

Summary

Amends the definition of "cultural". Prohibits the use of consumer fireworks except for cultural use by permit. Repeals the wording of section 132D-3(1), HRS, that generally allows the use of consumer fireworks without a permit on New Year's Eve, New Year's Day, and the Fourth of July. Makes it unlawful to offer, display for sale, sell, or furnish consumer fireworks to any person except for cultural use by permit, with a cap of not more than five permits per person. Prohibits the sale of fireworks to a person more than 5 calendar days before a permitted cultural use. Imposes a fee of $25 per permit for the purchase and cultural use of consumer fireworks. Imposes a statewide limitation on consumer fireworks, except by permit for cultural use. Effective 7/1/2025. (SD1)

Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2025

Committee Review

Floor Vote

Governor

Introduced Jan 14, 2025 Last action Feb 12, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

SB302 → SB302_SD1 · 7 edits

MODERATE

This bill significantly restricts consumer fireworks in Hawaii to cultural purposes only, removing general public use on major holidays like New Year's Eve, the Fourth of July, and Chinese New Year's Day. It introduces a permit system with a $25 fee per permit (capped at five per person) and prohibits purchasing fireworks more than five days before a permitted cultural event. The bill also adds new prohibitions on where fireworks can be used, such as near schools, hospitals, and hotels.

Scope change

The bill narrows the scope from allowing general public fireworks use on specific holidays to restricting all consumer fireworks to cultural purposes only, requiring permits for both purchase and use.

ELIGIBILITY

Removed general public authorization for fireworks on New Year's Eve, Fourth of July, and Chinese New Year's Day; now only cultural use is permitted.

REQUIREMENT

Added permit requirement for all consumer fireworks use, with a $25 fee per permit and a maximum of five permits per person.

Added restriction that fireworks cannot be purchased more than five calendar days before a permitted cultural event.

Added new location restrictions prohibiting fireworks near schools, hospitals, elderly care facilities, animal shelters, hotels, and public worship sites.

DEFINITION

Modified the definition of 'cultural' to relate to arts, customs, traditions, mores, and history of Hawaii's various ethnic groups.

ENFORCEMENT

Added new prohibitions against removing pyrotechnic contents from fireworks and throwing ignited fireworks from vehicles or buildings.

TIMELINE

Set the effective date of the bill to July 1, 2025.

Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Feb 12, 2025

Committee

Reported from PSM/TCA (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 278) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to JDC.

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

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 21, 2025

Committee

Referred to PSM/TCA, JDC.

upper

Jan 15, 2025

Introduced

Introduced and passed First Reading.

upper

Jan 14, 2025

Introduced

Pending Introduction.

upper

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors