The Ohio Senate has passed a bill legalizing the use of bottle rockets, firecrackers and other consumer-grade fireworks in Ohio despite hearing earlier in the day from doctors, firefighters and safety advocates who oppose the measure.
Currently, Ohioans can buy consumer-grade fireworks in Ohio but must take them out of the state within 48 hours. Senate Bill 386 would lift that prohibition and tax fireworks at 4 percent to fund firefighter training and enforcement of the law.
The Senate passed the bill in a 22-7 bipartisan vote, sending it to the House.
Sen. Shannon Jones, a Springboro Republican, said she was concerned by testimony from doctors and safety advocates about the dangers of fireworks. The bill’s opponents said about half of all those injured by fireworks are bystanders who did not choose to set off the explosives.
Jones urged her colleagues against voting for the bill, noting the state fire marshal didn’t weigh in on the legislation.
Senate President Keith Faber, a Celina Republican, said fireworks regulation has evolved over the years and the bill ensures only “regulated, approved” fireworks will be allowed in Ohio. The bill also allows counties and townships to ban the fireworks or restrict dates and times when fireworks could be set off.
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