Hawaii legislature advances bills to combat illegal fireworks
Nadine Nakamura, first Asian American woman House speaker, honored
One bill would provide funding for the existing Illegal Fireworks Task Force and extend its operation for another five years, as the task force was set to disband in June.
This measure passed the Senate last week and is now under consideration in the House.
Another bill would create an 'Illegal Fireworks Enforcement Division' within the Department of Law Enforcement, which would work alongside the task force. This bill passed its third reading on Tuesday.A third measure seeks to strengthen fireworks safety laws by introducing tougher penalties for fireworks-related offenses, particularly when someone is injured or killed.
It also creates new criminal offenses for activities such as sending or receiving fireworks by air and distributing them without proper permits.
This bill also passed its third reading Tuesday.
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The proposed bills are part of a broader effort by state lawmakers to address the growing concern over illegal fireworks in Hawaii.
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