Loading chat...
GA HB419
Bill
Status
Passed
5/3/2018
Primary Sponsor
Deborah Silcox
Click for details
AI Summary
- Consumer fireworks use between 9:00 P.M. and 11:59 P.M. on non-holiday days is made subject to local county and municipal noise ordinances, and localities may additionally require a special use permit for use during those hours
- Extended hours (10:00 A.M. to 11:59 P.M.) for consumer fireworks use are preserved for specific holidays: January 1, last Saturday and Sunday in May, July 3, July 4, first Monday in September, and December 31, with use also permitted from 12:00 Midnight to 1:00 A.M. on January 1
- Noise ordinances affecting consumer fireworks must be general ordinances covering all sounds (not fireworks-specific), enacted or reenacted on or after July 1, 2018, with public notice published at least 15 days in advance in the legal organ and posted on the jurisdiction's official website for at least 72 hours
- Replaces the Governor's general drought declaration authority over consumer fireworks with a specific trigger tied to the Keetch-Byram Drought Index reaching 700 or above in a county, allowing the Governor to prohibit fireworks ignition in that county until the index drops below 700 or the declaration expires
- Requires licensed consumer fireworks distributors to display at least one sign (minimum 22 by 28 inches, 40-point boldface type) in retail areas advising customers to check local ordinances, follow warning labels, and be mindful that unannounced ignition can be traumatic to military veterans, other persons, and pets
Legislative Description
Fireworks; certain counties further regulate use or ignition; enable authority
Last Action
Effective Date
7/1/2018
Full Bill Text
No bill text available