LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – Ever since PA 256, the “Michigan Fireworks Safety Act” went on the books in 2011, home owners, pet owners, veterans, seniors and others have been complaining about it because they find fireworks a nuisance and a danger.
Senate Bill 17, which was introduced on January 17th, amends PA 256. The bill is co-sponsored by 11 Democrats and the goal is to tighten up the state’s fireworks law because of all of those complaints.
In what is not yet a bi-partisan effort, lawmakers want to decrease the number of days that Michigan residents can discharge fireworks from 12 or 13 days down to eight or nine – with stricter rules in highly populated areas except on December 31st, Memorial Day, July 4th and Labor Day.
Under the new law, during the July 4th holiday, fireworks would only be allowed to be discharged on July 3rd and 4th until 11:45 p.m. and not on July 5th unless it’s a Friday or Saturday.
The bill also gives more power to the local governments and increases civil fines for violating the restrictions, up from $1,000 to $2,000 for each violation.
Michigan Senator Paul Wojno, D-Warren, who sponsored the bill said, “So many legislators like myself continue to hear from constituents and local officials who are frustrated with the excessive noise fireworks bring to residential areas. The Mayor of Warren, James Fouts, has continued to advocate for this change ever since the new law went into effect approximately eight or nine years ago.”
The bill was referred to the Senate committee on local government.
Leave a Comment
COMMENTS POLICY: We have no tolerance for messages of violence, racism, vulgarity, obscenity or other such discourteous behavior. Thank you for contributing to a respectful and useful online dialogue.