H.B. 1810 Summary

• Establishes a shipping container inspection program within the Department of Public Safety to randomly inspect containers arriving in Honolulu for illegal fireworks and explosives, beginning no later than October 1, 2020.

• Requires the inspection program to use explosive-sniffing dogs, prioritize high-risk containers, and inspect all containers with legal fireworks using qualified personnel to distinguish legal from illegal fireworks.

• Creates the shipping container inspection program special fund to collect fees assessed by the Department of Transportation ($1 per container beginning July 1, 2020; $2 per container beginning July 1, 2021) and legislative appropriations to support the program.

• Increases the maximum fine for violations of fireworks law from $2,000 to $5,000 per violation under Hawaii Revised Statutes Section 132D-14(b).

• Requires the Department of Public Safety to submit reports to the legislature prior to the 2021 and 2022 regular sessions detailing implementation costs, program expenses, and recommendations; provides initial appropriations for fiscal year 2020-2021.