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Please see the email below from the Chief State Fire Marshal.
I'm sure by now, most of you have seen House Bill No. 1813 that was introduced this week dealing with Consumer Fireworks. For those that have not, the highlights are below:
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Exempts consumer, display, and permissible fireworks, defined in the bill and relevant law, from the definition of "device" as it pertains to criminal penalties for the possession, manufacture,
transportation, distribution, or use of explosive devices.
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The bill provides that the Statewide Fire Prevention Code does not apply (i) to the sale of permissible or consumer fireworks; (ii) to any person using, igniting, or exploding permissible or consumer
fireworks on residential or agricultural property with the consent of the owner of such property; or (iii) when such permissible or consumer fireworks are being transported from a locality where they were legally obtained to a locality where they are legally
permitted.
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The bill imposes a 12 percent retail sales and use tax on the sale or use of consumer, display, or permissible fireworks the revenues from which shall be deposited in the Law Enforcement Support
Fund, created by the bill.
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The bill removes the ability for Localities to prohibit the use/sales/possession of any consumer grade fireworks through local ordnance.
With this being said, I am coming to your for help. I need the following information to assist in creating a data chart to show consumer grade
fireworks fires, injuries and deaths within the Commonwealth over the last (5) year period. Any additional relevant data that your Localities have surrounding the use/possession/transportation or criminal activity will also be useful. I do not need any PII
information, just simple ages/type of injury and if possible, the type of product involved (i.e. mortars, bottle rockets, cake boxes etc.)
Please forward this email to any Fire Dept., EMS Agency, Fire Marshals Office, Police Dept., Sheriffs Office or any other Agency you see relevant
that may be able to assist in the project. As you know, the speed of legislative cycles is very quick, especially with this year being a "short session". With that being said, please provide me with any relevant data as quickly as possible.
If anyone within your locality would like to speak in opposition of this legislation, please coordinate your efforts though myself
or Assistant Chief Steven Sites, Fire Marshal/Building Official with Fairfax City Fire Department
steven...@fairfaxva.gov.
Thank you in advance for your assistance in keeping the Commonwealth, it's Citizens and Visitors safe.
As always, if I can ever be of assistance, do not hesitate to reach out.
Best,
Billy Hux | CFO,CFI
Chief State Fire Marshal
Virginia State Fire Marshal’s Office
1005 Technology Park Drive, Glen Allen, VA 23059
Office: (804) 612-7268 | Mobile: (540) 270-6617
Web: State
Fire Marshal’s Office
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