Date: 01/31/2006

Final
BILL SUMMARY for HB06-1067

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Votes: View--> Action Taken:
Postpone the bill indefinitely. The motion carrie
Refer the bill to the Committee of the Whole. The		PASS
FAIL


03:26 PM -- House Bill 06-1067

Representative Cerbo, bill sponsor, explained the provisions of the bill revising Colorado's fireworks laws by prohibiting the use and possession of fireworks under most circumstances. Representative Cerbo responded to questions regarding the ability of local governments to regulate fireworks and the ability of individuals to bring fireworks into Colorado from other states. Committee members questioned the wisdom in, and effectiveness of, a statewide ban. Committee members also questioned the need for the bill given that many fireworks are outlawed under current law. Representative Cerbo spoke to the safety issues the bill proposes to address and he responded to earlier committee comments regarding public fireworks displays.


03:47 PM

Tom Coulson, Discount Fireworks, Inc., spoke in opposition to the bill. He spoke to increasing restrictions on the sale, use, and possession of fireworks over his last 20 years as a retailer. He questioned the need for the bill given that most fireworks are illegal under current law. Mr. Coulson responded to a committee question regarding the use of fireworks for agricultural purposes.


03:51 PM

Gordon D. Sanchez, Fireking Fireworks, spoke in opposition to the bill. He spoke in support of leaving the decision to prohibit and allow the sale, use, and possession of fireworks to local governments. He also spoke to votes by communities in Wyoming in favor of the sale, use, and possession of fireworks in their communities. He further spoke to the prevalence of illegal fireworks being brought into Colorado from other states.


03:56 PM

Aeron Caulkins, Olde Glory Fireworks, spoke in opposition to the bill. He reiterated prior testimony regarding the prevalence of illegal fireworks being brought into the state and to the degree to which fires caused by fireworks are caused by illegal fireworks as opposed to legal fireworks. He responded to a committee question regarding other states that ban all fireworks.


04:00 PM

Rob Geislinger, Fire Marshal's Association of Colorado, spoke in support of the bill. He spoke to injuries to humans and damage to property caused by fireworks. He also spoke to the degree to which illegal fireworks are used in Colorado, noting that bigger problems are misuse of fireworks and the use of fireworks by children, legal or illegal. Mr. Geislinger responded to a committee question regarding the will and ability of law enforcement and fire departments to enforce current law.


04:04 PM

Chris Olson, Colorado Association of Chiefs of Police, spoke in support of the bill. Mr. Olson spoke to the increasing problem of fireworks possession and usage in Colorado.


04:07 PM

Representative Cerbo provided closing comments on the bill. Committee members provided comments on the bill.
BILL:HB06-1067
TIME: 04:14:15 PM
MOVED:Cerbo
MOTION:Refer the bill to the Committee of the Whole. The motion failed on a 4-7 roll call vote.
SECONDED:Lindstrom
VOTE
Berens
No
Cerbo
Yes
Curry
No
Decker
No
Massey
No
May M.
No
Merrifield
Yes
Soper
Yes
Stafford
No
Lindstrom
Yes
Hodge
No
Not Final YES: 4 NO: 7 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: FAIL
BILL:HB06-1067
TIME: 04:15:11 PM
MOVED:Massey
MOTION:Postpone the bill indefinitely. The motion carried on a 7-4 roll call vote.
SECONDED:Stafford
VOTE
Berens
Yes
Cerbo
No
Curry
Yes
Decker
Yes
Massey
Yes
May M.
Yes
Merrifield
No
Soper
No
Stafford
Yes
Lindstrom
No
Hodge
Yes
Final YES: 7 NO: 4 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS



04:16 PM

The committee adjourned.