{"id":112564,"date":"2022-06-08T22:03:51","date_gmt":"2022-06-09T02:03:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thevalleyledger.com\/?p=112564"},"modified":"2022-06-08T22:03:51","modified_gmt":"2022-06-09T02:03:51","slug":"state-house-makes-progress-on-reining-in-abusive-use-of-fireworks","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thevalleyledger.com\/?p=112564","title":{"rendered":"State House makes progress on reining in abusive use of fireworks"},"content":{"rendered":"

HARRISBURG, June 8 \u2013\u00a0<\/strong>Responding to the many concerns they have heard from local residents, Lehigh Valley lawmakers today voted to put some sensible restrictions on the use of consumer fireworks.<\/p>\n

The state law concerning fireworks was loosened in 2017 to allow the use of fireworks more often and in many locations across Pennsylvania, but that usage has become a real nuisance on an almost weekly basis, particularly during warm weather.<\/p>\n

The state House of Representatives passed legislation (H.B. 2157) that would extend the distance to 150 feet from buildings and vehicles where fireworks could be used, prohibit usage between 10 p.m. and 10 a.m. except during the July 4 holiday and New Year\u2019s Eve and give municipalities the option to ban their usage most of the year, except for Memorial Day and Labor Day weekends.<\/p>\n

State Reps. Robert Freeman, Jeanne McNeill, Mike Schlossberg and Peter Schweyer said they would have preferred a ban on consumer fireworks, but the bill passed this week is a step in the right direction.<\/p>\n

“As noted by conversations I had with many residents throughout Lehigh County, it seems as though there was an uptick in pyrotechnic use since the COVID-19 pandemic began,\u201d McNeill said. \u201cThis increased nighttime activity added to the stresses in our communities: upsetting pets, depriving many from sleep, negatively impacting our veterans with PTSD and, in our cities, posing a safety issue. One resident described it as living in a ‘war zone.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThis goes beyond the borders of Allentown,\u201d Schweyer said. \u201cMany of my colleagues in the House from Philadelphia to Easton and Pittsburgh to Erie have all shared similar fireworks problems in their communities. It is well past time to address this problem. This legislation would help restore quality of life back to our neighbors.\u201d<\/p>\n

Other changes in the bill would:<\/p>\n