The Ohio Chamber offered their support to a measure that would revise the laws surrounding fireworks in the Buckeye state. House Bill 172 overwhelmingly passed through the Ohio Senate and was agreed upon by the Ohio House this week.
The Ohio Chamber regularly tackles issues that put forth unfair or uneven restrictions or regulations on the free market. In this circumstance, it is legal to purchase fireworks in Ohio. However, as most of us are aware, it is illegal to discharge the fireworks just purchased in Ohio. HB 172 seeks to correct this by legalizing the discharging of fireworks on a limited basis.
We applaud the approach taken in this bill as it strikes a balance between public safety and ensuring that individuals who purchase fireworks in our state are able to legally and safely discharge them. Specifically, the bill would legalize the discharge of fireworks on and around the following days of the year:
- New Year’s Day
- Chinese New Year
- Cinco de Mayo
- Memorial Day weekend
- Juneteenth
- July 3, 4, and 5
- Labor Day weekend
- Diwali
- New Year’s Eve
We are hopeful that with the balance struck in House Bill 172 that Governor DeWine will sign this bill into law and bring about much-needed revisions and updates to Ohio’s laws regarding fireworks.