Fireworks bill still alive in Iowa Legislature

DES MOINES - It's too early to tell whether a debate over legalized fireworks in Iowa will flare or fizzle in the Iowa Senate as the focus of the 2015 legislative shutdown moves from policy to budget decisions.

Senate Majority Leader Mike Gronstal, D-Council Bluffs, was non-committal Thursday whether he would call up the issue for floor debate in the Iowa Senate, after representatives across the rotunda voted 53-43 Wednesday night to approve a measure (House File 614) making the sale and purchase of consumer-grade fireworks legal in Iowa beginning on Dec. 1.

'It's hard to tell. We haven't talked about it in caucus,” Gronstal told reporters asking whether he planned to schedule a fireworks debate before the split-control Legislature adjourns for the year.

Also non-committal Thursday was Gov. Terry Branstad, who noted the bill has to clear the Senate en route to his desk.

'I'm going to reserve judgment on that until I see it. I understand there's a lot of interest in this particular issue,” the governor told reporters. 'I reserve judgment on all bills until I see them in their final form.”

Earlier this month, Senate File 226 made its way to the Senate debate calendar that would add more than a dozen consumer-grade fireworks to the list of legal products, which currently includes only sparklers and other small novelties.

Forty states allow more consumer fireworks than Iowa, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Gronstal said he would 'probably lean towards supporting” the issue if it came up for a vote, because he sees a lot of fireworks activity in his hometown so 'it's already there,” even if Iowa law currently bans most consumer fireworks. Senate President Pam Jochum, D-Dubuque, countered that 'I have never been in support of it.”

The issue has touched off a heated debate. Advocates see legalized fireworks as a liberty issue, with proper safety precautions built into any move to legalization that also would bring an economic benefit via legal sales. Opponents argue fireworks would increase safety risks, violate citizens' right to peace and enjoyment, and cause problems for people dealing with traumatic stress events in their lives.

Before passing H.F. 610, Iowa House members amended the bill to be more in line with the Senate version that has passed out of committee by increasing the licensing fees for sellers. The Senate proposal directs the State Fire Marshal's Office to set up the fee and licensing structure, establish a local fire protection and emergency medical service providers grant program for fireworks safety education programming and to enforce all laws and rules relating to S.F. 226.