My Remarks on LD 83, "An Act To Legalize the Sale, Possession and Use of Fireworks"

We are currently debating LD 83, "An Act To Legalize The Sale, Possession and Use of Fireworks." I supported the passage of this bill and spoke in favor of the bill from the floor of the House of Representatives. The bill passed the House by a vote of 79-63. My remarks are reprinted below:
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Mr. Speaker and Ladies and Gentlemen of the House, I want to add my voice in support of the current motion.

While this may not be the most important matter that we've considered this session -- especially now that we have the great Whoopee Pie / Blueberry Pie debate behind us -- I think our vote here sends a message....

Do we really need to continue to maintain laws that criminalize the use of fireworks? Our efforts at criminalization have not stopped fireworks from coming in to the state and being used. All we have done is make this illegal and force the use of fireworks into more furtive settings...

In my corner of the state, western Maine, fireworks have a rich tradition. Our community display in Rumford was known statewide at one time before budget constraints forced its discontinuation. When the town stopped formally putting on a display, folks individually began a holiday tradition--like in many other parts of the state--of driving into New Hampshire to pick up fireworks for private celebrations with family and friends. A few weeks from now, these informal fireworks displays will light the skies in the River Valley and elsewhere in the state. Why do we make this illegal?

By passing this bill we accomplish two things. First we send a message to our citizens that we think they can be responsible in acquiring and using fireworks -- and we can be very specific about the kinds of fireworks that we deem safer for use. We allow people to acquire and use things that are much more dangerous than fireworks – things like snowmobiling and ATV’ing -- so why can’t we trust our citizens to use fireworks responsibly?

In fact, data from other states indicates that legalizing and regulating fireworks actually ends up being safer for citizens. According to the Indiana Department of Health, over the four years since fireworks were legalized there in 2006, fireworks-related injuries have actually decreased every year. And nationally, according to the American Pyrotechnics Association, while consumption of consumer fireworks has gone up, injuries are down. This data shows that with legalization comes education, awareness and more responsible use.

Second -- we create opportunities for new businesses, or new profitable lines of trade at existing businesses, when fireworks can be legally sold by licensed vendors. We spend a lot of time in this body talking about New Hampshire’s competitive advantages on certain taxes. We are at an even greater disadvantage when it comes to fireworks – Mainers cross the border everyday to New Hampshire to buy fireworks, and tourists heading to Maine stop off and buy fireworks in New Hampshire when they should be buying them here.

I urge all of my colleagues to support this common sense legislation -- and I’ll be HAPPY to invite all of you to Roxbury Pond to see the fireworks after we have made it a legal activity here in Maine... Thank you, Mr. Speaker.