BILL ANALYSIS Ó
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|SENATE RULES COMMITTEE | SCR 71|
|Office of Senate Floor Analyses | |
|(916) 651-1520 Fax: (916) | |
|327-4478 | |
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THIRD READING
Bill No: SCR 71
Author: Gaines (R), et al.
Introduced:6/1/15
Vote: 21
SUBJECT: Fireworks Safety Month
SOURCE: Author
DIGEST: This resolution designates June 21, 2015, through July
21, 2015, as Fireworks Safety Month; and encourages the
Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) and local
fire protection agencies to educate members of the public about
the risks of improperly using fireworks, including fireworks
that have been approved as safe and sane.
ANALYSIS: This resolution makes the following legislative
findings:
1)Fireworks were involved in an estimated 11,400 injuries
treated in hospital emergency departments throughout the U.S.
during 2013, with roughly 65% of those injuries being treated
between June 21-July 21. Children younger than 15 years of
age accounted for approximately 40% of the injuries.
2)Bodily injury is not the only damage that can occur from
improper use of fireworks and CAL FIRE has stated that
improper use of fireworks during California's severe drought
has caused wildfires.
SCR 71
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3)CAL FIRE has already responded to 1,122 wildfires between
January 2015 and May 2015, inclusive, that have burned 4,206
acres, nearly double the number of fires and acreage destroyed
by this time in 2013.
4)CAL FIRE is urging the public to enjoy only professional
fireworks displays. Since it can take hundreds of thousands
of gallons of water to control a large wildfire, avoiding home
use of fireworks is important not only for safety and wildfire
prevention, but also to save precious water resources during
this critical period of drought.
5)CAL FIRE has reminded those who choose to use fireworks to
celebrate to make sure fireworks are allowed in the area of
use and that they follow all safety precautions, because
individuals not following these requirements can be held
financially responsible for any fire caused by improper
fireworks activities.
This resolution designates June 21, 2015, through July 21, 2015,
as Fireworks Safety Month; and encourages CAL FIRE and local
fire protection agencies to educate members of the public about
the risks of improperly using fireworks, including fireworks
that have been approved as safe and sane, and to advise members
of the public about the high fines for use or sale of illegal
fireworks in addition to the risk of paying for wildfire damage
caused by improper or illegal use of fireworks.
FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: No Fiscal
Com.:YesLocal: No
SUPPORT: (Verified6/9/15)
SCR 71
Page 3
None received
OPPOSITION: (Verified6/9/15)
None received
Prepared by:Melissa Ward / SFA / (916) 651-1520
6/10/15 10:44:29
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