Substitute House Bill 172 Summary

• Extends fireworks licensing moratorium through December 31, 2022 (previously ending December 31, 2021), while allowing geographic transfer of existing manufacturer and wholesaler licenses starting June 30, 2021.

• Creates new fountain device retailer license category allowing retail sales of 1.4G fireworks (consumer fireworks) with specified display sizes (maximum 300 square feet total), storage requirements, and age restrictions (no sales to persons under 18).

• Allows consumer discharge of 1.4G fireworks on private property with owner authorization on specified holidays (January 1, May 5, Memorial Day weekend, June 19, July 3-5, Labor Day weekend, Diwali, December 31), subject to local restrictions by counties, townships, and municipalities.

• Establishes 4% fee on 1.4G fireworks retail sales to fund firefighter training programs and state fire marshal enforcement, collected and managed through a new fireworks fee receipts fund.

• Creates Ohio fire code rule recommendation committee comprising state fire marshal, fire chiefs, police chief, pyrotechnics industry representatives, and public health/safety advocates to review and recommend changes to fireworks regulations.