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SB3037
THE SENATE
S.B. NO.
3037
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:
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SECTION 1.
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The legislature finds that illegal fireworks
pose a serious and ongoing threat to public safety in Hawaii, causing
explosions, fires, and loss of life.
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Despite existing laws regulating the importation and sale of fireworks,
unlawful activity continues, revealing gaps in enforcement that allow repeat
offenders to remain in business.
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The
legislature further finds that a Civil Beat investigation in 2025 documented
connections between Pacific Fireworks and a 2022 shipment of approximately $2.7
million worth of illegal pyrotechnics discovered inside a Matson shipping
container at Honolulu harbor.
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Despite
these findings, Pacific Fireworks has continued to obtain retail licenses and
sell fireworks in the State, as current law does not clearly authorize agencies
to deny licenses based on prior violations or related enforcement actions.
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The
legislature determines that current law does not adequately prevent individuals
or companies that have violated fireworks laws from resuming the importation or
sale of fireworks.
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This gap weakens
enforcement efforts and places the public at continued risk.
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Accordingly,
the purpose of this Act is to prohibit any person or company, including
responsible individuals associated with a company, that has been determined by
a court or appropriate agency to have violated laws relating to the importation
or sale of illegal fireworks from importing, selling, or obtaining licenses to
import or sell fireworks in the State, thereby strengthening accountability and
protecting public safety.
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SECTION 2.
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Section
132D-8, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is
amended by amending subsection (
b) to read as
follows:
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"(b)
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Each storage, wholesaling, and retailing site
shall be required to obtain a separate license.
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The license shall specify the date of issuance or effect and the date of
expiration, which shall be March 31 of each year.
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The application shall be made on a form
setting forth the date upon which the storage or distribution are to begin, the
address of the location of the licensee, and the name of the proprietor or, if
a partnership, the name of the partnership and the names of all partners or, if
a corporation, the name of the corporation and the names of its officers.
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Any license issued pursuant to this chapter [
may
]
shall
be revoked by the county if the licensee violates any provision of
this chapter or if the licensee stores or handles the fireworks in a manner
that presents an unreasonable safety hazard.
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Any licensee that violates any provision of this chapter shall be
prohibited from obtaining a new license.
"
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SECTION 3.
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Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken.
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New statutory material is underscored.
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SECTION 4.
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This Act shall take effect upon its approval.
INTRODUCED BY:
_____________________________
Report Title:
Fireworks
Violators; Licenses; Revocation; Prohibition
Description:
Requires
counties to revoke licenses for the sale of fireworks for licensees that have
violated restriction on the sale of fireworks.
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Prohibits licensees that have violated restrictions on the sale of
fireworks from obtaining a new license.
The summary description
of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is
not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.