Committee deadlocks on bill to legalize aerial fireworks and dedicate tax to radio grants

Representative Swazinski introduced House File 3547, a proposal to legalize and regulate aerial fireworks and use sales-tax revenue from those sales to fund a statewide public-safety radio equipment grant account. He framed the bill as a way to capture out-of-state fireworks revenue and to create a stable funding stream for upgrades to armored radio communications.

Licensed pyrotechnician Andrew Bell testified in support, saying Minnesota residents already obtain aerial fireworks across state lines and arguing that regulated in-state sales would improve oversight, fund fire departments and support small businesses. Bell identified himself as a Minnesota state-licensed pyrotechnician and said licensing and retailer oversight would reduce unsafe, unregulated sales.

Andrew Slama, fire chief of Edina, speaking for the Minnesota Fire Association Coalition, urged opposition. Slama said expanding legal fireworks would increase fires and injuries and impose additional burdens on already strained fire departments. He argued that projected tax revenue would not offset increased hospital and emergency-response costs.

Chair Novotny offered amendment A3, which adjusted effective dates and created a special revenue account to receive tax revenue from aerial fireworks sales. The amendment authorized the commissioner of public safety to award grants to local, tribal and state agencies to purchase or upgrade radio systems. Members debated whether dedicating fireworks revenue was the best approach to fund communications upgrades; some members noted alternative revenue sources such as a cellular service fee had been proposed previously.

After discussion and a request for a fiscal estimate, members voted on the motion to re-refer HF3547 as amended. A roll call produced 9 ayes and 9 nays; under committee rules the motion did not prevail and the bill failed to advance from this committee. The committee recorded that a revenue estimate for the amended bill was pending.

The committee proceeded to the next item on the agenda.