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Joint committees pass package of fireworks enforcement bills with amendments
Summary
Joint Senate committees advanced three bills expanding enforcement tools for illegal fireworks, including limited drone use, appropriation for sting operations, and a new adjudication system with penalties and permit caps. Committees passed each measure with amendments after testimony on constitutional and implementation concerns.
Three bills aimed at strengthening enforcement against illegal fireworks advanced out of joint committees on public safety, military affairs and judiciary on March 13, with members approving amendments meant to narrow legal exposure and clarify implementation.
Committee leaders said the measures, taken together, are intended to improve evidence gathering, fund targeted enforcement work and create an administrative adjudication path for fireworks infractions. Supporters included the Department of Law Enforcement, county police and fire chiefs; opponents included the Office of the Public Defender, the Libertarian Party of Hawaii and some small fireworks vendors.
The first measure, House Bill 550, House Draft 2, would allow recordings made by law enforcement unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to be used to establish probable cause for fireworks arrests when the recording shows activity on public property and would have appropriated funds for DLE to buy UAVs. Testimony in committee underscored constitutional concerns: Haley Chang, First Deputy, Office of the Public Defender, told the panel that “probable…
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