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Pennsylvania State Senate
08/11/2024 10:19 AM
Pennsylvania State Senate
https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/Legis/CSM/showMemoPublic.cfm?SPick=20210&chamber=S&cosponId=36612
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Senate of Pennsylvania
Session of 2021 - 2022 Regular Session

MEMORANDUM

Posted: December 10, 2021 01:00 PM
From: Senator Mario M. Scavello
To: All Senate members
Subject: Fireworks Law Legislation
 
In the very near future, I intend to introduce legislation to amend our current fireworks law, Act 43 of 2017.
 
Since Pennsylvania legalized the use of certain fireworks in 2017, my office has received many complaints about fireworks activity from residents, especially seniors, veterans, parents with small children, and people with pets.  We have also heard from municipal officials and emergency service personnel who have also raised concerns. It is important to emphasize that in addition to the noise complaints, firework-related incidents like injuries, fires and loss of property have also increased.

Consequently, this legislation makes changes to current law to allow for the use of fireworks while helping to ensure public safety and peace. Specifically, the legislation provides for the following:
  • Fireworks would be restricted to Memorial Day (7 p.m. – 11 p.m.), July 4th (7 p.m.- 11 p.m.), Labor Day (7 p.m.-11 p.m.) and New Year’s (7 p.m. New Years Eve – 1 a.m. New Year’s Day).
  • Setbacks for consumer grade fireworks would be 500 ft. per residential property line and 2500 ft. per farm property line.
  • Notice shall be given to consumers purchasing fireworks that there are state requirements for setbacks for use, permission to use property, timeframes for use, etc., and that there may be further municipal limitations.
  • A portion of the tax revenue from the sale of fireworks would go to municipalities for enforcement of the regulation.
This legislation will exempt commercial fireworks (pyrotechnics which are typically launched by highly trained professionals) that are used in amusement parks and fairgrounds, outdoor concerts and festivals, sports games, as well as any other events where careful consideration to public safety has been coordinated with local officials including local emergency services.

Please join me in co-sponsoring this important legislation.  If you have any questions, please contact Christine Zubeck in my office at 717-787-6123 or czubeck@pasen.gov.  Thank you for your consideration.