Bill giving cities more authority to ban fireworks nears approval

SALT LAKE CITY — A bill that would give counties, cities and towns the ability to ban fireworks in additional areas received preliminary approval Wednesday in the Senate.

“This is our annual fireworks bill,” joked the bill's sponsor, Sen. John Valentine, R-Orem.

Under current law, municipalities have the authority to ban firework use in specified areas that local fire officials have determined are hazardous environmental conditions. HB289 would also give municipalities more latitude to ban the discharge of fireworks in wide areas of land that meet structures or urban development.

The bill, which previously passed in the House, received unanimous approval in its second reading in the Senate.

— Rachel Lowry