The state House today approved a bill that would allow counties to ban
fireworks.

The bill, which also includes a task force to study how to control illegal
fireworks, now goes to a House-Senate conference committee for a final
draft.
State Rep. Marilyn Lee, D-38th (Mililani, Mililani Mauka), described
excessive fireworks displays last New Year's Eve as a public health risk.
She said she would be embarrassed if lawmakers failed to act on fireworks
this session.
Lee and several other lawmakers said they favor a statewide ban but back the
bill as a compromise.
Other lawmakers who had reservations about the bill said the problem is the
lack of enforcement against illegal fireworks.
State law allows consumer fireworks on New Year's Eve, Chinese New Year's
Day, and the Fourth of the July.
The bill the House passed today allows counties to adopt fireworks laws that
are more restrictive than the state law.