Panel rejects anti-fireworks legislation

An Idaho House committee voted down legislation Monday to ban the sale of illegal aerial fireworks in Idaho – even though they’re illegal to use in the state, under current law, if people sign an affidavit saying they’ll be shooting them off elsewhere they can be sold in-state, and two southwestern Idaho sales outlets do big business under that clause.

On a 9-6 vote, the committee opposed even introducing the legislation, refusing to allow a hearing on it.

Boise Fire Chief Dennis Doan, a prime backer of the bill, reacted angrily. “It was clear by the actions of the committee today they do not care about firefighter safety, or if people’s homes and lives are being destroyed by illegal fireworks every year,” he said in a statement/Betsy Russell, Eye on Boise. More here.