The House of Representatives today HBs 5999 and 6000 which legalize aerial (or "consumer") fireworks in Michigan. The bill is limited to only brick and mortar facilities meaning that roadside tent sales of fireworks will be banned in Michigan. The only exception is in the reported bill which would allow nonprofit organizations to sell from tents in the parking lot of a big box store if a local unit of government passes an ordinance allowing this type of sale.
The Bureau of Fire Services will be charged with issuing permits to those facilities who pay a $5,000 permit fee. The Bureau will be charged with inspecting these facilities but may designate that duty to the local unit. If the local unit inspects the facilities it will be reimbursed by the Bureau.
Rep. Harold Haugh (D-Roseville), lead sponsor of the legislation, argued that the retail sales will have to follow federal guidelines and that safety precautions are ensured by monitoring of the state fire marshall. He also said that this is an opportunity for empty brick and mortar buildings to be re-used. Apparently, legislators were robo-called from what may have been Ohio and Indiana companies because of the fear that they will lose fireworks revenues to michigan. It is estimated that $2.6 million will go to fireworks safety through the Bureau of Fire Safety, and another $3 million will be capture in sales.
The bill passed 79-28, and was supported by the Michigan Municipal League.
Andy Schor is the Assistant Director of State Affairs for the Michigan Municipal League. Contact him at (517) 908-0300 or by email.
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