Senate Concurrent ResolutionNo. 144


Introduced by Senator Gaines

(Coauthors: Senators Bates and Huff)

May 17, 2016


Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 144—Relative to Fireworks Safety Month.

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL’S DIGEST

SCR 144, as introduced, Gaines. Fireworks Safety Month.

This measure would designate June 21, 2016, through July 21, 2016, as Fireworks Safety Month and would urge the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection and local fire protection agencies to educate the public about fireworks that have been approved as “safe and sane” and about the risks of improperly using fireworks and of using or selling illegal fireworks.

Fiscal committee: yes.

P1    1WHEREAS, Many Californians and visitors to our state will
2use fireworks to celebrate our nation’s independence on the Fourth
3of July; and

4WHEREAS, At least 10 people died in 2014 as a result of
5fireworks-related injuries either through direct contact with
6fireworks or in house fires started by fireworks; and

7WHEREAS, Fireworks were involved in an estimated 10,500
8additional injuries treated in United States hospital emergency
9rooms in 2014--about 67 percent of which were treated between
10June 21 and July 21; and

11WHEREAS, Children younger than 15 years of age accounted
12for approximately 35 percent of fireworks-related injuries,
13including 1,400 injuries caused by sparklers, 1,400 injuries caused
P2    1by firecrackers, and 100 injuries caused by bottle rockets overall;
2and

3WHEREAS, The parts of the body most often injured were
4hands, fingers, eyes, legs, the face, and head, which potentially
5results in lifelong disabilities for those injured; and

6WHEREAS, Bodily injury is not the only damage that can occur
7from improper use of fireworks. The Department of Forestry and
8Fire Protection (CalFire) has stated that improper use of fireworks
9has caused or contributed to wildfires throughout the state; and

10WHEREAS, Because CalFire responded to 6,335 wildfires
11between January 2015 and December 2015 that burned 307,958
12acres at an estimated cost of $209 million, eliminating any single
13source of wildfires is important in saving lives, property, and state
14funds; and

15WHEREAS, CalFire has urged all people in California to join
16public fireworks displays to celebrate the Fourth of July rather
17than using fireworks at their homes or in other unprotected,
18unsupervised areas; and

19WHEREAS, CalFire has stated that in order for fireworks to be
20used by the public, the fireworks must be included on CalFire’s
21“safe and sane” list and must also be authorized by local fire
22agencies in the area where the fireworks will be used; and

23WHEREAS, Possession of up to 25 pounds of illegal fireworks
24is subject to a minimum penalty of $500, but up to a penalty of
25$1,000 and imprisonment in a county jail for one year. Modification
26of any fireworks to create an explosive device can result in much
27more severe criminal penalties, including fines of up to $50,000
28plus imprisonment; now, therefore, be it

29Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, the Assembly
30thereof concurring,
That the Legislature designates June 21, 2016,
31through July 21, 2016, as Fireworks Safety Month; and, be it
32further

33Resolved,That the Legislature urges CalFire and local fire
34protection agencies to educate members of the public about
35fireworks that have been approved as “safe and sane” and about
36the risks of improperly using fireworks; and, be it further

37Resolved, That the Legislature requests these agencies to advise
38the public about the high fines for use or sale of illegal fireworks,
39in addition to the risks of paying for wildfire damage caused by
40improper or illegal use of fireworks; and, be it further

P3    1Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of
2this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.



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