DES MOINES – Today, the Iowa Firefighters Association expressed its dis-approval of a bill advancing in the Iowa Senate that would legalize and regulate the sale, possession and use of fireworks in Iowa.
According to the Iowa Firefighters Association (IFA), the Senate State Government Committee passed the legislation (SSB1135) out of subcommittee and committee within 6 hours on Wednesday, February 11.
A subcommittee meeting was held that day, and both sides of the issue testified for and against the sale of fireworks in Iowa, which is currently not yet legal. IFA expressed the organization’s concerns for public safety as “we will undoubtedly see many more injuries and fires. This will drive up costs and time commitments by all.”
If the legislation is passed and signed by the governor, fireworks such as roman candles, bottle rockets and many other types of popular fireworks that are available commercially in other state would be legal in Iowa starting this June. Some see this as an opportunity for business, others see a major safety hazard. Governor Branstad has indicated he is open to signing a bill if one comes out of the bi-partisan legislature.
I would have been really surprised if they were in favor of this. However, people are using them anyway and are just traveling out of state to get them. We might as well have the revenue. The police tend to look the other way on this issue.