Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to override a veto of a bill that authorizes the sale of aerial fireworks.

Highlights:

• Prohibits local governments from forbidding or restricting the sale of “aerial and audible devices,” “novelties,” and “sparkling devices” with the following exception (Sec. 1):
• The sale or use of aerial and audible devices in the state is permissible only from June 1 to July 7 of any given year.

• Specifies that this act does not prohibit towns, cities, and counties from enacting ordinances regulating the use of aerial and audible devices and display fireworks, as long as those ordinances are reasonable and do not prohibit all use in the area (Sec. 1).

• Defines “aerial and audible devices” as finished fireworks suitable for use by the public that contain no more than 75 grams of chemical mixture per tube for a total of 500 grams or less for multiple tubes in a device (Sec. 1).

• Defines “novelties” as devices containing small amounts of pyrotechnic composition including, but not limited to, sparklers, snappers, and toy pistols (Sec. 1).

• Defines “sparkling devices” as ground-based or handheld devices that produce a shower of sparks, including, but not limited to, fountains, torches, and wheels.

• Defines “display fireworks” as finished fireworks primarily intended for commercial displays that produce visual and audible effects through combustion (Sec. 1).

• Prohibits the purchase of novelties, sparkling devices, or aerial and audible devices by minors (Sec. 1).

• Authorizes local governments to impose an annual license fee for the retail sale of aerial and audible devices (Sec. 1).

• Requires this fee to be a “reasonable amount” based on the public safety issues and inspections associated with these items (Sec. 1).

Full Bill Text

Vetoed by Governor Mark Dayton

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to concur with House amendments and pass a bill that authorizes the sale of aerial fireworks.

Highlights:

• Prohibits local governments from forbidding or restricting the sale of “aerial and audible devices,” “novelties,” and “sparkling devices” with the following exception (Sec. 1):
• The sale or use of aerial and audible devices in the state is permissible only from June 1 to July 7 of any given year.

• Specifies that this act does not prohibit towns, cities, and counties from enacting ordinances regulating the use of aerial and audible devices and display fireworks, as long as those ordinances are reasonable and do not prohibit all use in the area (Sec. 1).

• Defines “aerial and audible devices” as finished fireworks suitable for use by the public that contain no more than 75 grams of chemical mixture per tube for a total of 500 grams or less for multiple tubes in a device (Sec. 1).

• Defines “novelties” as devices containing small amounts of pyrotechnic composition including, but not limited to, sparklers, snappers, and toy pistols (Sec. 1).

• Defines “sparkling devices” as ground-based or handheld devices that produce a shower of sparks, including, but not limited to, fountains, torches, and wheels.

• Defines “display fireworks” as finished fireworks primarily intended for commercial displays that produce visual and audible effects through combustion (Sec. 1).

• Prohibits the purchase of novelties, sparkling devices, or aerial and audible devices by minors (Sec. 1).

• Authorizes local governments to impose an annual license fee for the retail sale of aerial and audible devices (Sec. 1).

• Requires this fee to be a “reasonable amount” based on the public safety issues and inspections associated with these items (Sec. 1).

• Requires this fee to be a “reasonable amount” based on the public safety issues and inspections associated with these items (Sec. 1).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that authorizes the sale of aerial fireworks in the state of Minnesota.

Highlights:

• Prohibits local governments from forbidding or restricting the sale of “aerial and audible devices,” “novelties,” and “sparkling devices” with the following exception (Sec. 1):
• The sale or use of aerial and audible devices in the state is permissible only from June 1 to July 7 of any given year.

• Specifies that this act does not prohibit towns, cities, and counties from enacting ordinances regulating the use of aerial and audible devices and display fireworks, as long as those ordinances are reasonable and do not prohibit all use in the area (Sec. 1).

• Defines “aerial and audible devices” as finished fireworks suitable for use by the public that contain no more than 75 grams of chemical mixture per tube for a total of 500 grams or less for multiple tubes in a device (Sec. 1).

• Defines “novelties” as devices containing small amounts of pyrotechnic composition including, but not limited to, sparklers, snappers, and toy pistols (Sec. 1).

• Defines “sparkling devices” as ground-based or handheld devices that produce a shower of sparks, including, but not limited to, fountains, torches, and wheels.

• Defines “display fireworks” as finished fireworks primarily intended for commercial displays that produce visual and audible effects through combustion (Sec. 1).

• Prohibits the purchase of novelties, sparkling devices, or aerial and audible devices by minors (Sec. 1).

• Authorizes local governments to impose an annual license fee for the retail sale of aerial and audible devices (Sec. 1).

• Requires this fee to be a “reasonable amount” based on the public safety issues and inspections associated with these items (Sec. 1).

Full Bill Text