Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Safety topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Committee reviews bill giving local fire chiefs flexibility over fireworks safety details
Summary
Lawmakers heard testimony on House Bill 91, which would let local fire chiefs inspect public display sites and set whether and how long fire apparatus and personnel must be present; the state fire marshal—s office said it is neutral and emphasized the measure targets professional displays rather than backyard consumer fireworks.
A bill that would clarify how local fire officials handle safety details at display fireworks shows drew questions but little opposition at a Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee hearing Friday.
Representative Mark Prue (Hillsborough 15), who introduced House Bill 91, told the committee the measure would allow municipalities to issue permits for fireworks displays and give the fire department authority to inspect sites. "The fire chief will get to determine whether fire apparatus and personnel need to be there in case of an emergency. And they determine how long that presence needs to be there," Prue said.
Philip Byron, deputy fire marshal for the Office of the State Fire Marshal, testified the office is neutral on the bill. Byron told the committee the proposal would give local chiefs more flexibility about scheduling fire details while preserving the existing need for an inspection and for resources "to be available at the time of display." He emphasized the statutory and administrative rules currently require a detail for commercial shows and that the bill is intended for display sites, not consumer backyard fireworks stores. "So if you want to shoot something in your backyard, you go to a fireworks store. You'll buy the 1.4 consumer product. That is not the intent from what I understand of this bill. This is more for the display," Byron said.
Committee members focused on practical questions, including whether the bill would cover private homeowners staging large-scale shows and how chiefs would judge the size and hazard posed by different classes of fireworks. Representative Murphy asked whether chiefs already have the authority to inspect and require presence; Byron replied that for commercial displays "we are required to be there. We are required to inspect it." Committee members suggested clarifying language to distinguish ordinary consumer use from professional displays.
No formal action was taken on House Bill 91 during the meeting. The bill will be considered further by the committee and revised language may be offered to address questions about the scope of "site of the display" and timing of details.
The record on this bill included committee discussion and testimony from the sponsor and the Office of the State Fire Marshal but no vote or amendment was recorded at this hearing.
