An explosion in the use of fireworks has prompted the creation of two bills that would give counties and municipalities more control over when and where fireworks are used.
State Sen. Sue Landske, R-Cedar Lake, said she filed Senate Bill 91 after receiving "hundreds of phone calls and e-mails" from residents and elected officials concerned about the growth in fireworks use after the enactment of a new law last year.
The law ended years of a wink-and-nod policy that required purchasers to sign affidavits saying they were taking the fireworks out of state or would use them only at designated safe sites.
As a result of the new law allowing Hoosiers to use fireworks on their own property, the use of fireworks greatly expanded, both around holidays such as the Fourth of July and at other times throughout the year.
Sen. Victor R. Heinold, R-Kouts, filed a similar bill, Senate Bill 9, at the behest of officials of Valparaiso, who asked for home-rule authority over the use of fireworks.
"I just think this is the logical way to go," Heinold said of allowing local officials to set some guidelines.
"My district covers seven counties, and the only real complaints I got were from the one area, so I think that shows a one-size-fits-all approach isn't the way to go," he said.
While his bill does not specifically prohibit local officials from enacting full bans on fireworks, Heinold said he plans to tweak the language to make sure that would not happen.
"I want to make sure Hoosiers have at least some opportunity for a little celebration if they want it," he said.
Heinold said he expects bipartisan support for the legislation and that Gov. Mitch Daniels has indicated support.
Last summer, after people from across the state voiced concerns about the nuisance created by the expanded use of fireworks in the weeks before and after the Fourth of July, Daniels said he favored giving municipalities and counties more say in when and where fireworks can be used.
But the fireworks industry and some users don't like the idea.
"We understand the law is not perfect, and we are hoping to work with legislators to see if we can find some common ground that satisfies the concerns some people have about noise and other issues, while still giving Hoosiers the right to use the products they like," said Steve Graves, executive director of the Indiana Fireworks Association. He said the organization, representing both dealers and users, opposes the proposed legislation.
"I would just hate to see the state go backwards, and I believe that's what this legislation would do."
Graves said fireworks sales in Indiana last year topped $40 million, showing that "Hoosiers love their fireworks."
The fireworks sales reaped about $4 million in taxes, Graves said. Under the new law, he said, the state collects an 11 percent tax on the fireworks. The first $2 million of that tax revenue is earmarked for fire training and disaster relief.
At least one consumer opposes further government involvement in what he thinks should be a personal matter for individuals and families.
"People won't know from one place to the next what the rules will be," warned David Stehlin, 61, Indianapolis, a customer at Celebration Fireworks, 5860 N. Michigan Road.
Stehlin said this could set a precedent, which could be followed by more local government involvement in liquor sales, driving regulations and time zones.
"Where does it stop?"
State Sen. Sue Landske, R-Cedar Lake, said she filed Senate Bill 91 after receiving "hundreds of phone calls and e-mails" from residents and elected officials concerned about the growth in fireworks use after the enactment of a new law last year.
The law ended years of a wink-and-nod policy that required purchasers to sign affidavits saying they were taking the fireworks out of state or would use them only at designated safe sites.
As a result of the new law allowing Hoosiers to use fireworks on their own property, the use of fireworks greatly expanded, both around holidays such as the Fourth of July and at other times throughout the year.
Sen. Victor R. Heinold, R-Kouts, filed a similar bill, Senate Bill 9, at the behest of officials of Valparaiso, who asked for home-rule authority over the use of fireworks.
"I just think this is the logical way to go," Heinold said of allowing local officials to set some guidelines.
"My district covers seven counties, and the only real complaints I got were from the one area, so I think that shows a one-size-fits-all approach isn't the way to go," he said.
While his bill does not specifically prohibit local officials from enacting full bans on fireworks, Heinold said he plans to tweak the language to make sure that would not happen.
"I want to make sure Hoosiers have at least some opportunity for a little celebration if they want it," he said.
Heinold said he expects bipartisan support for the legislation and that Gov. Mitch Daniels has indicated support.
Last summer, after people from across the state voiced concerns about the nuisance created by the expanded use of fireworks in the weeks before and after the Fourth of July, Daniels said he favored giving municipalities and counties more say in when and where fireworks can be used.
But the fireworks industry and some users don't like the idea.
"We understand the law is not perfect, and we are hoping to work with legislators to see if we can find some common ground that satisfies the concerns some people have about noise and other issues, while still giving Hoosiers the right to use the products they like," said Steve Graves, executive director of the Indiana Fireworks Association. He said the organization, representing both dealers and users, opposes the proposed legislation.
"I would just hate to see the state go backwards, and I believe that's what this legislation would do."
Graves said fireworks sales in Indiana last year topped $40 million, showing that "Hoosiers love their fireworks."
The fireworks sales reaped about $4 million in taxes, Graves said. Under the new law, he said, the state collects an 11 percent tax on the fireworks. The first $2 million of that tax revenue is earmarked for fire training and disaster relief.
At least one consumer opposes further government involvement in what he thinks should be a personal matter for individuals and families.
"People won't know from one place to the next what the rules will be," warned David Stehlin, 61, Indianapolis, a customer at Celebration Fireworks, 5860 N. Michigan Road.
Stehlin said this could set a precedent, which could be followed by more local government involvement in liquor sales, driving regulations and time zones.
"Where does it stop?"