BILL NUMBER: SCR 144	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Senator Gaines
   (Coauthors: Senators Bates and Huff)

                        MAY 17, 2016

   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.



   WHEREAS, Many Californians and visitors to our state will use
fireworks to celebrate our nation's independence on the Fourth of
July; and
   WHEREAS, At least 10 people died in 2014 as a result of
fireworks-related injuries either through direct contact with
fireworks or in house fires started by fireworks; and
   WHEREAS, Fireworks were involved in an estimated 10,500 additional
injuries treated in United States hospital emergency rooms in
2014--about 67 percent of which were treated between June 21 and July
21; and
   WHEREAS, Children younger than 15 years of age accounted for
approximately 35 percent of fireworks-related injuries, including
1,400 injuries caused by sparklers, 1,400 injuries caused by
firecrackers, and 100 injuries caused by bottle rockets overall; and
   WHEREAS, The parts of the body most often injured were hands,
fingers, eyes, legs, the face, and head, which potentially results in
lifelong disabilities for those injured; and
   WHEREAS, Bodily injury is not the only damage that can occur from
improper use of fireworks. The Department of Forestry and Fire
Protection (CalFire) has stated that improper use of fireworks has
caused or contributed to wildfires throughout the state; and
   WHEREAS, Because CalFire responded to 6,335 wildfires between
January 2015 and December 2015 that burned 307,958 acres at an
estimated cost of $209 million, eliminating any single source of
wildfires is important in saving lives, property, and state funds;
and
   WHEREAS, CalFire has urged all people in California to join public
fireworks displays to celebrate the Fourth of July rather than using
fireworks at their homes or in other unprotected, unsupervised
areas; and
   WHEREAS, CalFire has stated that in order for fireworks to be used
by the public, the fireworks must be included on CalFire's "safe and
sane" list and must also be authorized by local fire agencies in the
area where the fireworks will be used; and
   WHEREAS, Possession of up to 25 pounds of illegal fireworks is
subject to a minimum penalty of $500, but up to a penalty of $1,000
and imprisonment in a county jail for one year. Modification of any
fireworks to create an explosive device can result in much more
severe criminal penalties, including fines of up to $50,000 plus
imprisonment; now, therefore, be it
   Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, the Assembly
thereof concurring, That the Legislature designates June 21, 2016,
through July 21, 2016, as Fireworks Safety Month; and, be it further
   Resolved,That the Legislature urges CalFire and local fire
protection agencies to educate members of the public about fireworks
that have been approved as "safe and sane" and about the risks of
improperly using fireworks; and, be it further
   Resolved, That the Legislature requests these agencies to advise
the public about the high fines for use or sale of illegal fireworks,
in addition to the risks of paying for wildfire damage caused by
improper or illegal use of fireworks; and, be it further
   Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of this
resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.