2348-S AMH TAYL JONC 087

SHB 2348 - H AMD 674

By Representative Taylor

    Strike everything after the enacting clause and insert the following:

    "NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.  The legislature finds that in 2016 there were many wildfires that caused extensive damage to life and property.  Local governments are interested in having more flexibility regarding fireworks ordinances as a means of reducing risks of wildfire.  The Legislature finds there is a need to analyze the risk caused by fireworks and the societal and economic impacts associated with providing local governments with additional authority to regulate fireworks.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. (1)(a)  A legislative task force on fireworks is established, with members as provided in this subsection.

    (b) The task force must be comprised of:

    (i) Two members from the majority caucus of the house of representatives as appointed by the speaker of the house, including the chair of the local government committee;

    (ii) Two members from the minority caucus of the house of representatives as appointed by the minority leader, including the ranking member of the local government committee;

    (iii) A representative of the department of natural resources,

    (iv) A representative of the association of Washington cities;

    (v) A representative of the association of Washington counties;

    (vi) A representative of the Washington fire chiefs;

    (vii) A representative of the fireworks industry involved in retail sales of fireworks;

    (viii) A representative of the fireworks industry involved in wholesale sales of fireworks;

    (ix) A representative of the fireworks industry involved in nonprofit sales of fireworks; and

    (x) A representative for the federally recognized Indian tribes in Washington that sell fireworks, if they choose to participate.

    (2) The chair and the ranking minority member of the local government committee must co-chair the task force.  The task force must convene the initial meeting no later than June 1, 2016.

    (3) The task force must review and take testimony on the following issues:

    (a) The number of incidents of fire damage to property and life proximately caused by the use of retail fireworks;

    (b) The current legal authority provided to local governments to restrict the possession, sale, or use of fireworks, and any recommended changes to that authority;

    (c) The economic and societal impact to the fireworks industry if local governments restrict the possession, sale, or use of fireworks; and

    (d) Any other relevant issues as determined by the task force that arise from discussions of providing local authorities with increased authority to regulate the possession, sale, or use of fireworks.

    (4)  The task force must analyze the legal, societal, and economic impacts related to restricting the possession, sale, or use of fireworks due to drought conditions and must provide a summary of the task force's discussion and any recommendations to the appropriate committees of the legislature by December 31, 2016. 

    (5) Staff support for the task force must be provided by the house office of program research.  The task force may contract with additional persons who have specific technical expertise if such expertise is necessary to carry out the duties of the task force.

    (6) Legislative members of the task force must be reimbursed for travel expenses in accordance with RCW 44.04.120.  Non-legislative members, except those representing an employer or organization, are entitled to be reimbursed for travel expenses in accordance with RCW 43.03.050 and 43.03.060.

    (7) The expenses of the task force must be paid by the house of representatives. Task force expenditures are subject to approval by the house of representatives executive rules committee, or its successor committee.

(8) This section expires June 30, 2017."

Correct the title.

EFFECT:  Strikes all provisions of the substitute bill.

Creates a legislative task force on fireworks. The task force is co-chaired by the chair and ranking minority member of the House Local Government Committee. The task force must review and take testimony regarding:

· The number of incidents of fire damage to property and life proximately caused by the use of retail fireworks;

· The current legal authority provided to local governments to restrict the possession, sale, or use of fireworks, and any recommended changes to that authority;

· The economic and societal impact to the fireworks industry if local governments restrict the possession, sale, or use of fireworks; and

· Any other relevant issues as determined by the task force that arise from discussions of providing local authorities with increased authority to regulate the possession, sale, or use of fireworks.

The task force must analyze the legal, societal, and economic impacts related to restricting the possession, sale, or use of fireworks due to drought conditions and must provide a summary of the task force's discussion and any recommendations to the appropriate committees of the legislature by December 31, 2016. 

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