Fireworks bill revived in Iowa Legislature

DES MOINES - Iowa lawmakers have once again lit the fuse on the effort to legalize home fireworks.

A panel of legislators on Thursday discussed a limited proposal to legalize consumer-grade fireworks in Iowa. The proposal would limit the number of days and hours that Iowans could display fireworks to roughly a week before and after the Fourth of July and New Year's Eve and only until 10 p.m.

'I firmly believe we need to restrict the amount of days and the hours they can get shot off,” Sen. Bill Dotzler, D-Waterloo, said during a subcommittee hearing on the bill Thursday.

Three states ban all home fireworks, and Iowa is one of just four states in which only sparklers and novelty items are legal, according to the American Pyrotechnics Association.

Currently, Iowans may possess fireworks but not shoot them off. Proponents say legalization in part recognizes current law as 'head-in-the-sand” policy.

'It's really a kind of wink and nod kind of thing,” Dotzler said.

The Iowa House in 2015 passed a bill legalizing more consumer-grade fireworks, but that was not considered by the Senate, which this year is running its own bill.

Dotzler said he supports the limited bill because it enables Iowans to celebrate the two holidays with home fireworks, but also addresses concerns with fireworks making too much noise in residential neighborhoods.

Opponents also cite safety concerns.

'It's always been a tradition across America, and I think Iowans kind of are ready for it, although I think it ought to proceed with caution and on a limited scale,” Dotzler said.

Rep. Matt Windschitl, R-Missouri Valley, shepherded the fireworks bill to passage in the House last year. Although the new proposal is far more limited, Winschitl said he would support it in order to 'expand Iowans' freedoms.”

'Would I like to see a broader bill where you don't have as many restrictions on time frames? Absolutely,” Winschitl said. 'But if the Senate can muster up enough votes … yep, I want to advocate for that over here.”

Whether enough senators will support the proposal remains in question.

Sen. Janet Petersen, D-Des Moines, who served on Thursday's panel, said she opposes any proposal to legalize more fireworks and promised a stern fight over any legislation.

'There will be a few 12-year-olds around the state who will be disappointed in my vote today,” Petersen said. 'I have major concerns for public health. … I just believe that legalizing fireworks is the wrong way to go for our state.”

Sen. Joe Bolkcom, D-Iowa City, chairman of the committee through which the fireworks bill must pass, said he has not yet determined whether it will receive a committee hearing. Bolkcom said the committee will 'do its due diligence” and see whether there are enough votes to pass the bill.

Gov. Terry Branstad said he has not yet determined a position on a fireworks bill.

'I know it's a hot issue,” he said.