Efforts to legalize the sale of fireworks in the state of Iowa continue to moving forward this legislative session.

Last week a Senate subcommittee bill advanced, and local Senator Jake Chapman of Adel says he remains optimistic that this is the year the law will change.

“After the subcommittee hearing it will be coming forth to the full state government Senate committee, and then it will be eligible for floor debate.  I’m very optimistic that we will see a vote on this bill this year, I’m hopeful for that.  So time will tell whether or not it will pass, but yes there is a bill coming forth in the Senate and there’s actually a companion bill in the House, which makes it easier to pass when you have it coming out of both chambers.”

Nationally, 40 states allow some sort of fireworks, with Iowa being one of five in the U.S. that has only legalized sparklers or novelty fireworks.