Legislature(2023 - 2024)BARNES 124
05/08/2023 03:15 PM House LABOR & COMMERCE
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| Marijuana Control Board | |
| HB146 | |
| HB143 | |
| SB123 | |
| SB93 | |
| HB137 | |
| HB138 | |
| HB145 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| + | HB 143 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | HB 146 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | SB 93 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| + | SB 123 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 137 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 138 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 145 | TELECONFERENCED | |
HB 146-REGULATION OF FIREWORKS
3:31:05 PM
CHAIR SUMNER announced that the next order of business would be
HOUSE BILL NO. 146, "An Act relating to fireworks; repealing
restrictions on the sale of fireworks; directing the Department
of Public Safety to adopt fireworks regulations; and providing
for an effective date." [Before the committee was CSHB
146(STA).]
3:31:20 PM
LISA PURINTON, Acting Legislative Liaison, Department of Public
Safety (DPS), introduced HB 146 on behalf of the sponsor, House
Rules by request of the governor. She said state fireworks
statutes were first created in 1969 and have not been
substantially altered since then; because of this, Alaska
fireworks statutes do not currently match international fire
codes and standards. She stated that rather than having this in
statute, HB 146 would allow DPS to regulate fireworks sales and
usage, and it would require municipalities to comply with these
regulations.
3:34:47 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER asked how the current international
practices differ from the statute.
3:35:30 PM
LLOYD NAKATO, State Fire Marshall, Division of Fire and Life
Safety, Department of Public Safety, answered that the proposed
legislation would allow DPS to adopt international standards, as
well as standards from the National Fire Protection Association.
3:36:38 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER questioned the difference between the
codes and the current state statute.
MR. NAKATO answered that international fire codes address
fireworks very little, and the state would use industry
practices to create appropriate regulations. In response to a
follow-up question, he said that the proposed legislation would
not create stricter standards; however, it would update outdated
definitions.
3:38:59 PM
REPRESENTATIVE FIELDS asked whether there is data from other
states on regulations regarding wildfires.
MR. NAKATO answered no. In response to a follow-up question, he
said he would have to look further to answer whether other
states have implemented a fee structure for the sale of
fireworks.
REPRESENTATIVE FIELDS asked whether there is data on injuries
related to fireworks.
MR. NAKATO replied that he would follow up to the committee with
this information.
3:42:06 PM
REPRESENTATIVE CARRICK asked whether there is a summary of
changes for HB 146.
MS. PURINTON answered that the added language clarified the
difference between private residences storing fireworks and
firework stands. In response to a follow-up question, she said
that Anchorage is an example of a municipality with fireworks
ordinances.
MR. NAKATO added that other municipalities have similar
regulations, although he is not certain which municipalities
this includes.
3:44:42 PM
REPRESENTATIVE CARRICK asked whether there is a model Alaska
should adopt if the proposed legislation were passed.
MR. NAKATO answered that DPS would look at regulations being
used in other states. In response to a follow-up question, he
said that there is a group of standards DPS would use to create
regulations.
3:46:14 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER asked how quickly the fireworks industry
changes.
3:46:52 PM
ROBERT HALL, Owner, Gorilla Fireworks, provided invited
testimony on HB 146. He stated that he has been selling
fireworks for nearly 40 years and has worked with state fire
officials during this time. He expressed the understanding that
the proposed legislation would give technical definitions in
statute for fireworks, and he expressed the recognition that
federal regulations have made fireworks safer. He said that
updated definitions would clarify in regulations what type of
fireworks would be allowed. It would allow for the sale of
certain fireworks to be restricted in certain weather and fire
conditions, which would increase public safety. He noted that
changes in labeling fireworks have allowed for the sale of
certain types of fireworks to the general public, despite those
fireworks never being intended for public sale. He said that
giving the state fire marshal the ability to regulate fireworks
would save the legislature time and allow for updated and clear
definitions and regulations.
3:55:16 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER asked whether the old statute needs to be
updated, or if the state fire marshal needs the authority to
regulate fireworks.
MR. HALL answered that the industry would prefer for the
legislature to update the statutes; however, he expressed the
understanding that the situation is dire enough to justify
giving the state fire marshal the ability to regulate fireworks.
In response to a follow-up question, he said that the state
holds individuals responsible for starting fires, although local
municipalities have enacted high fees for businesses selling
fireworks, and these fees go to the local fire department.
3:59:24 PM
REPRESENTATIVE PRAX asked whether the proposed bill would
restrict his ability to sell fireworks for New Year's Eve
celebrations.
MR. HALL expressed doubt that it would, as winter is "a good
time" for fireworks because of the low fire danger and the
darkness [creating better visibility].
4:02:28 PM
REPRESENTATIVE FIELDS asked how HB 146 would improve public
safety.
MR. HALL answered that fireworks which are legal federally can
be sold in Alaska year-round, although some types have been
restricted by certain municipalities. He expressed the opinion
that a state-wide restriction on certain types of fireworks
would cause people to instead buy what is available locally.
4:06:17 PM
CHAIR SUMNER announced that HB 146 was held over.