HI HB858

Authorizes the Department of Public Safety, Sheriff Division, to inspect shipping containers at commercial harbors and work sites to detect and confiscate explosives and other materials threatening public safety, excluding regulated fireworks.

Establishes a shipping container inspection program beginning no later than October 1, 2019, utilizing explosive-sniffing dogs to randomly inspect incoming containers with priority given to high-risk shipments over low-risk containers from military, government, and established businesses.

Requires the Department of Transportation to assess fees of $1 per container starting July 1, 2019, increasing to $2 per container starting July 1, 2020, with all revenue deposited into a special fund to support the inspection program.

Creates the shipping container inspection program special fund to receive legislative appropriations, gifts, donations, and container import fee revenue for program administration and operations.

Increases the maximum fine for fireworks violations from $2,000 to $5,000 per violation and appropriates $250,000 annually for fiscal years 2019-2020 and 2020-2021 to establish and operate the program, including purchase and care of at least two explosive-sniffing dogs.