Fireworks; require to be located within a permanent structure.
Impact
The bill will directly impact retailers who sell fireworks, as they will need to ensure that their facilities comply with the new requirement of having a permanent structure for the storage of fireworks. This could necessitate modifications or renovations for some businesses, potentially increasing operational costs. Additionally, the requirement for appropriate fire safety equipment, such as extinguishers or alternative means for fire suppression, is expected to create safer environments for both sellers and customers.
Summary
House Bill 909 aims to amend Section 45-13-7 of the Mississippi Code of 1972 regarding the storage and sale of fireworks. The bill requires that fireworks must be stored in a permanent structure and prohibits their location in temporary stands. This legislative change is intended to enhance safety measures for the storage and sale of fireworks, minimizing the risks associated with their handling and sale, particularly during high activity periods such as holidays.
Contention
While the bill is primarily seen as a safety enhancement, there may be points of contention among legislators, particularly regarding the implications for small businesses that may struggle with the increased costs or logistical challenges of transitioning to permanent structures. Critics may argue that such regulations could lead to fewer retail options for consumers and may disproportionately affect smaller, local vendors compared to larger companies that are better equipped to comply with these requirements.
Designating the existing fallen firefighters memorial within the Kansas firefighters museum in Wichita as the official fallen firefighters memorial of the state of Kansas and replacing the Kansas firefighters memorial advisory committee with the Kansas firefighter memorial council; defining the fireworks sales season for seasonal retailers of consumer fireworks, providing for year-round sales by permanent retailers of consumer fireworks, requiring permanent retailers to register with the state fire marshal.