Fireworks expansion bill reignites

Minnesotans looking to buy some fireworks may be able to stay within the state’s borders.

“Sometimes you just got to ignite the light and let it shine,” Rep. John Kriesel (R-Cottage Grove), the sponsor of HF1774, said April 3 on the House floor.

“Current Minnesota law allows for the use of party poppers, snappers, toy smoke devices, snakes glow worms or sparklers. This bill expands legal fireworks in Minnesota to include bottle rockets, firecrackers and other fireworks classified by the American Pyrotechnics Association as consumer fireworks,” Kriesel said. “This bill does not make cherry bombs or M-80s legal, or the consumer use of large display fireworks like you see at your community Fourth of July celebrations.”

Local governments would be permitted to charge an annual license fee to stores wanting to sell consumer fireworks, but they couldn’t, among other things, regulate structures where fireworks could be sold.

However, after more than an hour of floor discussion the bill was re-referred to the House Government Operations and Elections Committee so local units of government could discuss local control issues.

Approved by that committee April 5 on a split-voice vote, the bill awaits action by the House Rules and Legislative Administration Committee. A companion, SF1694, sponsored by Sen. Michael Jungbauer (R-East Bethel), awaits action on the Senate floor.

During the floor debate, supporters spoke of Minnesotans crossing into neighboring states to spend their money for fireworks.

Rep. Steve Drazkowski (R-Mazeppa) said there’s a seasonal store across the bridge from Wabasha that’s open three or four months a year “only to collect money from Minnesotans that are coming over to buy their fireworks and head back.”

Among arguments made by opponents was the dangers of fireworks, especially to children, and that fire and police chiefs have expressed fear about an expansion.

“I think this bill is just a terrible idea,” said Rep. Tina Liebling (DFL-Rochester). “What about the personal responsibility of somebody who injures somebody else, somebody who’s a complete and total bystander, somebody whose parent didn’t agree to them using the firework? This is a ridiculously reckless bill.”

“We can’t wrap our world in bubble wrap. We can’t protect everybody,” said Rep. Larry Hosch (DFL-St. Joseph).