Lawmakers pass new limits on fireworks as July Fourth nears
HARRISBURG — State lawmakers gave their final approval to new restrictions on fireworks Friday but the rules will not be in place as July Fourth weekend fireworks light up Pennsylvania skies.
The House voted 163-37 to send the legislation to the desk of Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf, whose spokeswoman said he plans to review it. The law would take effect in two months.
Rep. Aaron Bernstine, R-10th; Rep. Daryl Metcalfe, R-12th; and Rep. R. Lee James, R-64th, voted against the bill. Rep. Marci Mustello, R-11th; Rep. Abby Major, R-60th; Rep. Jim Marshall, R-14th; and Rep. Tim Bonner, R-8th, voted in favor of the bill.
The state Senate on Thursday passed the bill by a 44-6 vote with state Sen. Scott Hutchinson, R-21st, voting against it and state Sen. Elder Vogel, R-47th, and state Sen. Joe Pittman, R-21st, voting in favor.
The bill would let municipalities restrict the use of fireworks to 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. except during July 2 to 4 and Dec. 31, when they can be used until 1 a.m. The law allows their use on those holidays and over the Memorial and Labor Day weekends.
There are also more severe penalties for improper sales or illegal use.
Bernstine said the bill will likely affect people who sell fireworks, and the restrictions on their use could cause them financial trouble.
“Many small businesses are invested in selling these fireworks to law abiding citizens,” he said. “We shouldn't be making things that don't do people harm illegal.”
Those who plan to set them off will have to give nearby livestock owners or managers three days’ notice before fireworks can be used near an animal housing facility. Local governments now have explicit authority to ban them if there is not a place to use them safely.
A 2017 law greatly liberalized the sale of fireworks in Pennsylvania but also has generated complaints from neighbors. Firefighters say it has resulted in more fires and fire deaths.
Until the 2017 law change, fireworks in Pennsylvania were largely limited to sparklers and similar novelties. The changes permitted the sale of the full array of fireworks that meet federal consumer standards.
