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Committee adopts amendments expanding fireworks sales windows and raises inspection fees
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Summary
Judiciary B adopted amendments to a fireworks bill that move allowable retail sales start time to 7:00 a.m., add Ash Wednesday/ Memorial Day/Labor Day as permissible sale holidays, and raise certain inspection fees; the committee reported the bill with amendments.
Representative Fontenot presented the bill (recorded in the transcript as 'house bill 9 56') on behalf of retailers and the Louisiana State Fire Marshal. The measure removes a class-C permit requirement for consumer-grade fireworks that the ATF declares consumer grade, aligns state practices with neighboring retailers, and increases certain inspection fees.
Bridal Adams, the State Fire Marshal, said the bill would put Louisiana retailers on a level playing field with neighboring states and provide flexibility for local jurisdictions while preserving local permitting authority. "This basically puts our retailers on the same playing field," Adams said.
A set of technical and substantive amendments were offered and adopted. Mr. Miller, describing amendment set 2335, said the amendment changes the permissible sales start time from noon (current law) to "07:00 in the morning" and adds additional holidays — Ash Wednesday, Memorial Day and Labor Day — to the list of times when fireworks sales would be permitted. The committee also adopted a technical amendment changing 'wholesaler' to 'distributor.'
The bill sponsor and the fire marshal emphasized that local permitting authority remains intact and that large parishes that prohibit shooting fireworks (for example, Orleans, Jefferson, East Baton Rouge) would not be overridden by the measure. Senator Owen moved to report the bill with amendments; the committee reported House Bill 956 with amendments by voice vote with no recorded objection.
What happens next: The bill advances out of committee with adopted amendments; sponsors said local governments retain permitting control and inspection fees will increase as described if enacted.
