Fireworks are once again a hot topic around the State of Iowa. State Senator Jake Chapman, (R) District 10, recently introduced a bill to shift more control of the sale and use of fireworks from local entities to the state.

Senate Study Bill 1035 would prevent cities and counties from adopting restrictive zoning regulations regarding where items can be sold, as well as take away their ability to require inspections on retailers. Chapman says the chief purpose of the bill is to create uniformity with commerce. Additionally, he says the bill would require cities to allow the use of fireworks one day a year. “There’s one section of that bill that would open up the display of fireworks throughout the state on the Fourth of July. So the reason why we are proposing that and starting that conversation is because frankly there’s a lot of people who have reached out to me and said, ‘I’m confused as to when I can shoot fireworks off.’ There’s some cities that have banned them completely, some that you can only shoot them off within certain hours. And so what we’re saying is, ‘Let’s do the Fourth of July.’ If cities want to allow them still beyond the Fourth of July, they’ll still be able to do that. But one day only in Iowa, Iowans across the state can shoot off fireworks.”

Chapman says there’s still a lot of discussion needed on the issue in the Legislature before the new fireworks bill can be brought to the floor. The bill has already been met with opposition, particularly from Democrats in the Legislature, but also from several outside organizations such as the Iowa League of Cities, the Iowa Police Chief Association, the Iowa Firefighters Association, and the Iowa State Association of Counties, as well as several individual cities. Opponents claim it strips cities of the local control they were promised on the issue, and creates an assortment of public safety concerns.

Last year, the City of Perry allowed fireworks to be used on July 4th, but placed strict rules on where and when they could be discharged. Adel had a ban on using fireworks, unless specifically approved by the City Council. To learn more about this and other topics regarding the current legislative session, click the link below to listen to the most recent Perry Fareway Let’s Talk Dallas County program with Chapman.

https://www.raccoonvalleyradio.com/2019/02/04/lets-talk-dallas-county-2-4-2019-jake-chapman/