RELATING TO FIREWORKS.

Children Crime

Active

The official status still shows this bill as active or still awaiting another formal step.

Sponsor: TAM, ILAGAN, MARTEN, PERRUSO, WOODSON, Amato
Last action: 2026-01-28
Official status: Referred to JHA, referral sheet 3
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

Checked against official source text during the last sync.

Fireworks Safety Around Minors

This bill makes it illegal to use fireworks around children under sixteen unless the person has a valid permit and follows safety rules.

What This Bill Does

Makes it against the law for anyone to set off fireworks when minors under sixteen are nearby without a proper permit.
Defines 'in the presence of a minor' as being physically near or knowing that a minor is present who might see or hear the fireworks.
Says people who break this rule can be punished like they did something wrong.

Who It Names or Affects

People who use fireworks
Minors under sixteen years old

Terms To Know

permit: A special permission given by the government to do something that is usually restricted.
misdemeanor: A type of crime that is less serious than a felony and can result in fines or jail time for up to one year.

Limits and Unknowns

Does not change existing rights and duties that happened before the bill becomes law.
The exact date when this new rule will start is not yet known.

Bill History

2026-01-28 H
Referred to JHA, referral sheet 3
2026-01-26 H
Introduced and Pass First Reading.
2026-01-23 H
Pending introduction.

Official Summary Text

RELATING TO FIREWORKS.
Fireworks; Minors; Prohibition
Prohibits the use of fireworks in the presence of a minor under the age of sixteen unless the person has a valid permit and complies with safety requirements.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

HB1938

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

1938

THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026

STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING
TO FIREWORKS
.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

����
SECTION 1.
�
Chapter 132D, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is
amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as
follows:

����
"
�132D-
�
Use
of unpermitted or illegal fireworks in the presence of a minor; prohibited.
�
(a)
�
It shall be unlawful for any person to set
off, ignite, discharge, or otherwise cause to explode any aerial devices,
articles pyrotechnic, consumer fireworks, or display fireworks in the presence
of a minor under the age of sixteen, unless the person has a valid permit as
required by sections 132D-10 and 132D-16 and complies with all applicable
safety requirements.

����
(b)
�

For the purposes of this section, "in the presence of a minor under
the age of sixteen" means in the actual physical presence of a minor under
the age of sixteen or knowing that a minor under the age of sixteen is present
and may hear or see the offense.

����
(c)
�

Any person who violates this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.
"

����
SECTION 2.
�
This Act does not affect rights and duties
that matured, penalties that were incurred, and proceedings that were begun
before its effective date.

����
SECTION
3.
�
New statutory material is
underscored.

����
SECTION 4.
�
This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

Report Title:

Fireworks;
Minors; Prohibition

Description:

Prohibits
the use of fireworks in the presence of a minor under the age of sixteen unless
the person has a valid permit and complies with safety requirements.

The summary description
of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is
not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.