Sep. 27, 2019 / Press Release
HARRISBURG – The
Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee on Tuesday held a hearing on legislation
authored by Rep. Frank Farry (R-Bucks) to enhance fireworks safety across
Pennsylvania.
The committee hosted panels of
testifiers to gather feedback on House Bill 1687 including the Executive Director
of Pennsylvania Fire and Emergency Services Institute Jerry Ozog; City of Wilkes-Barre
Fire Chief Jay Delaney; and three local government officials.
“While fireworks are a great way
to celebrate community, I want to ensure people are not using fireworks
contrary to the law or potentially harming neighbors and damaging property,”
said Farry. “My legislation would increase public safety through education of
fireworks usage and practical regulations.”
House Bill 1687 would implement
fireworks discharge time constraints; offer guidance to local governments on reasonable
controls for the sale and use of fireworks; increase criminal penalties for the
selling or use of fireworks in violation of the law and provide notice to
consumers of state requirements for setbacks for use, permission to use
property and any further municipal limitations.
The bill is inspired by the
Senate Resolution 6 (SR6) legislative initiative to address major fire and
emergency medical services challenges in the Commonwealth. Farry, co-chair of
the House Firefighters and Emergency Services Caucus worked among 38 additional
members of the SR6 commission to provide recommendations and changes pertaining
to emergency and medical services legislation for the 2019-20 session.
Representative Frank Farry
142nd District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Rene Morrow
717.260.6273
rmorrow@pahousegop.com
RepFarry.com