Bill to legalize fireworks takes off in House committee

A bill that would legalize consumer fireworks cleared a House committee on Tuesday even as it faces strong opposition from the fireworks industry.

Floridians buy and use fireworks just as much as any other state around the 4th of July and New Years Eve even though they can only purchase them after signing a form that says the product will only be used to “frighten birds from agriculture works and fish hatcheries.”

The bill’s sponsor, state Rep. Jamie Grant, told members of the House Career & Competition Subcommittee that this practice is a loophole that invites the public to actually perjure themselves.

“It’s kind of a a CYA by the industry,” Grant said, adding that the passage of his “repealer” bill (HB 6037) would open up the marketplace for other entrepreneurs to get into the industry.

Tallahassee Democrat Loranne Ausley noted that Grant’s proposal appeared to fly in the face of a task force created by state legislators more than a decade ago that recommended that people obtain a license and receive safety training before they could use aerial fireworks.

Lobbyists representing the firework industry in Florida vehemently objected to Grant’s proposal.

“This framework has worked very well for ten years,” said Ken Pruitt, a former president of the state Senate. “We don’t feel that there’s anything broken here. We feel that if somebody wants to come and if they want to sell fireworks, get registered. Become a bonafide seller of fireworks.

Speaking on behalf of American Promotion Events-TNT Fireworks, veteran lobbyist Ron Book said theoretically, the fireworks industry in Florida should be celebrating Grant’s bill because it opens up the market to sell more products. But he said they strongly opposed it.

He said the bill would repeal a provision in current law that requires companies to take their sparkler products to the state Fire Marshall’s office before they can be approved and distributed. He said such a repeal would put the public at risk by creating a safety problem and would make them vulnerable to prosecution for violating current statue.

“It’s a terrible move!” Book thundered, adding that there is nothing in Grant’s bill that says the form that he objects to would no longer be used by the fireworks industry.

While the measure passed in committee, even supporters said they were troubled by repealing some of the provisions in current law.

“This struck me as things that do protect the public,” said Palm Bay Republican Randy Fine. 

Various lawmakers have tried for years to change the law, with no success.