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Senate Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
Senate of Pennsylvania
Session of 2023 - 2024
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | June 8, 2023 10:50 AM |
|---|---|
| From: | Senator Rosemary M. Brown |
| To: | All Senate members |
| Subject: | Local Notification of Fireworks Permit Issuance |
| In the near future, I will introduce legislation establishing a framework for local notification of fireworks permit issuance. In recent years, there has been a significant increase in the prevalence of consumer fireworks in Pennsylvania. The legislature has tried to strike a balance between allowing the safe and responsible use of fireworks while also protecting Pennsylvanians’ rights to enjoy their property without nuisance. However, based on the number of calls our offices continue to receive, there is still room for improvement. Act 74 of 2022 gave municipalities the ability to require permits for the use of consumer fireworks under certain circumstances. My legislation will require municipalities to establish a notification system whereby interested residents may request to receive electronic or telephonic notification when a fireworks permit is issued within five miles of their residence. The municipality would be responsible for notifying residents who have opted in at least 24 hours prior to the permitted event. This is a notification system only and does not offer an opportunity to challenge the issuance of a permit. Rather, it gives concerned residents who may be particularly sensitive to fireworks advanced notice of upcoming activity nearby and allows them to plan accordingly based on their needs. Fireworks can be a festive addition to a celebratory gathering, but for people with pets, sensory processing issues, or post-traumatic stress disorder, they can be an unpleasant and traumatic disruption. Please join me in co-sponsoring this commonsense measure. |
Introduced as SB872