Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Fireworks And Equine Safety topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Senate committee approves letting local governments bar fireworks near horse facilities
Summary
The Senate State and Local Government Operations Committee amended and passed HB614 to let cities and counties adopt ordinances banning consumer fireworks up to 200 yards of facilities that house horses, removing a prior "commercial" limitation and leaving enactment to local governments.
Madam Speaker Pro Tem appeared before the Senate State and Local Government Operations Committee to present House Bill 614, which would allow a city or county to adopt a local ordinance prohibiting the use or ignition of consumer fireworks up to 200 yards of facilities that house horses.
The measure is a targeted change to Georgia’s existing fireworks law that adds facilities housing equines to a list of locations already afforded distance-based restrictions. Supporters said the change is intended to reduce stress and safety risks to horses on small farms as suburban development surrounds those operations.
Madam Speaker Pro Tem told the committee: "It would allow a city or a county to adopt a local ordinance to prohibit fireworks within a hundred yards of a commercial facility, housing horses." She said she initially proposed a 100-yard limit and a commercial-facility definition to keep the change narrow, but was open to broader language at the committee’s direction.
Senator Ginn and other members pressed for broader language that would reach noncommercial barns and pastures. After discussion the committee adopted an amendment that (1) replaced the word "within" with "up to" and changed the distance to 200 yards and (2) struck the word "commercial," so the provision applies to facilities housing equines in a confined area as determined locally.
After the amendment passed unanimously, the committee voted to report the bill out as amended. The chair announced the measure "passes the committee" subject to the normal legislative process.
Supporters emphasized local control: under the bill the governing authority of a county or municipal corporation would choose whether to adopt an ordinance and how to apply the distance in its jurisdiction. Opponents did not press a recorded objection after the amendment was adopted.
The committee’s action sends the amended HB614 forward for further consideration by the Senate.
Votes at a glance: amendment — passed unanimously; underlying bill as amended — passed unanimously.
