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Senate clears local option to ban fireworks near equine facilities
Summary
House Bill 614 permits counties and cities to pass ordinances banning consumer fireworks within 200 yards of facilities that house horses; sponsors said the law protects horses and barns from fire and startle-related risks.
The Senate adopted a committee substitute and passed House Bill 614 on March 20, creating a local option for municipalities or counties to prohibit the use of consumer fireworks within a set distance (200 yards) of facilities that house equines.
Supporters said loud, sudden noises from fireworks can spook horses, endangering riders and handlers, and that barns and hay storage create elevated fire risk. The bill parallels other property-use distance restrictions in state code and requires a local ordinance to take effect in any given jurisdiction.
Advocates stressed the measure is local-option only and will not prohibit fireworks statewide; it simply gives communities the ability to protect equine operations where needed. The bill passed with recorded vote; the roll-call was 50 yeas and 1 nay on the passage recorded on the floor.
