HARRISBURG, Pa.--Because of the continued use of dangerous fireworks set off in neighborhoods that cause fires and terrify horse, dogs, children and veterans suffering from traumatic stress, Representative Peter Schweyer, Democrat of Lehigh County, has introduced Pennsylvania House Bill 988 that would repeal a state law allowing residents to buy and set off powerful fireworks.
This bill would reinstate the provisions as they existed before those changes, according to Schweyer.
"How many houses and barn have to burn, children have to be injured, and horses, livestock and dogs have to panic and be killed before our legislators admit that the changes to the law were a mistake?" said Donna Foulk in a letter to The Horse. "I am terrified to put my horses out at night since presently it is legal to shoot these high power fireworks anytime and the set back is only 150 feet."
“People expect fireworks on certain holidays,” Schweyer said in an article in Morning Call.. “But, in the summer, when fireworks are going off at night in the middle of the week, it’s extraordinarily disruptive to quality of life. This, coupled with potential damage to neighboring homes packed closely together, we’re not talking about somebody singeing their back yard or losing a shed. We’re talking about an entire block that could go up.
There is a facebook site called ban backyard fireworks that has good information, videos and photos.
Fireworks have been set off next to farms that arch over the fields and terrify horses, causing them to panic and gallop around the field, potentially causing injury to themselves, and some of them have broken through their fences and gotten loose.
These fireworks have caused fires and have the potential to cause massive fires of entire rows of houses.
This bill would allow the use of fireworks on July 4, but it would prevent the use of commercial sized fireworks being set off throughout the summer, as they are now being set off.
It is important that everyone contact their legislator and support passage of this bill.
Follows a list of legislators with their email addresses.
Please contact your legislator and contact your neighbors to also support this bill.
BILL INFORMATION - House Bill 988
An Act amending Title 3 (Agriculture) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, providing for fireworks; imposing penalties; and making a related repeal.
House Bill 988
Prime Sponsor:: Representative SCHWEYER
Last Action:
Referred to AGRICULTURE AND RURAL AFFAIRS, March 19, 2021 [House]
House Bill 988 is in committee. Reach out to be sure these members to be sure they support it so it makes it to the floor for a vote. Republicans are particularly important.
House: Agriculture & Rural Affairs Officers
MAJORITY
Moul, Dan , Chairman: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Lawrence, John A., Vice Chairman: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Zimmerman, David H. , Secretary: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Diamond, Russ: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Fee, Mindy: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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Irvin, Rich: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Borowicz, Stephanie: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Gleim, Barbara: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Gregory, Jim: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Hershey, Johnathan D.: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Kerwin, Joe: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Mustello, Marci: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Owlett, Clint: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Silvis, Jason: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
MINORITY
Pashinski, Eddie Day: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Snyder, Pam: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Burgos, Danilo: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Guenst, Nancy: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Hanbidge, Liz: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Howard, Kristine C.: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Kinkead, Emily: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Parker, Darisha K.: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Rabb, Christopher M.: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Sappey, Christina D.: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
