Iowa

IOWA

CHAPTER 115

POSSESSION, SALE, TRANSFER, PURCHASE, AND USE OF FIREWORKS

AN ACT relating to the possession, sale, transfer, purchase, and use of fireworks, providing penalties, and including effective date provisions.

Be It Enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Iowa:

 

DIVISION I FIREWORKS REGULATION

100.19 Consumer fireworks seller licensing — penalty — fund.

1. As used in this section:

a.“APA87-1”meanstheAmericanpyrotechnicsassociationstandard87-1,aspublishedinDecember

 

2001.

b. “Community group” means a nonprofit entity that is open for membership to the general public which is

 

exemptfromfederalincometaxationpursuanttosection501(c)(3)oftheInternalRevenueCodeorafraternal benefit society, as that term is defined in section 512B.3.

c.“First-classconsumerfireworks”meansthefollowingconsumerfireworks,asdescribedinAPA87-1, chapter 3:

  1. Aerial shell kits and reloadable tubes.
  2. Chasers.
  3. Helicopter and aerial spinners.
  4. Firecrackers.
  5. Mine and shell devices.
  6. Missile-type rockets.
  7. Roman candles.
  8. Sky rockets and bottle rockets.
  9. Multipletubedevicesunderthisparagraph“c”thataremanufacturedinaccordancewithAPA87-1, section 3.5.

d. “Retailer” means as defined in section 423.1.

e. “Second-class consumer fireworks” means the following consumer fireworks, as described in APA 87-1, chapter 3:

  1. Cone fountains.
  2. Cylindrical fountains.
  3. Flitter sparklers.

(    4)Groundandhand-heldsparklingdevices,includingmultipletubegroundandhand-heldsparkling devices that are manufactured in accordance with APA 87-1, section 3.5.

  1. Ground spinners.
  2. Illuminating torches.
  3. Toy smoke devices that are not classified as novelties pursuant to APA 87-1, section 3.2.
  4. Wheels.
  5. Wire or dipped sparklers that are not classified as novelties pursuant to APA 87-1, section 3.2.

2.a.Thestatefiremarshalshallestablishaconsumerfireworkssellerlicense.Anapplicationforaconsumerfireworkssellerlicenseshallbemadeonaformprovidedbythestatefiremarshal.Thestatefiremarshalshalladoptrulesconsistentwiththissectionestablishingminimumrequirementsforaretailerorcommunitygroupto be issued a consumer fireworks seller license.

b.Apersonshallpossessaconsumerfireworkssellerlicenseunderthissectioninordertosellconsumer fireworks.

  1. a. The state fire marshal shall establish a fee schedule for consumer fireworks seller licenses as follows:
    1. Foraretaileratapermanentbuildingwhodevotesfiftypercentormoreoftheretailer’sretailfloor space to the sale or display of first-class consumer fireworks, an annual fee of one thousand dollars.
    2. Foraretaileratatemporarystructurewhodevotesfiftypercentormoreoftheretailer’sretailfloor space to the sale or display of first-class consumer fireworks, an annual fee of five hundred dollars.
    3. For a retailer who devotes less than fifty percent of the retailer’s retail floor space to the sale or display

of first-class consumer fireworks, an annual fee of four hundred dollars.

 

  1. For a community group that offers for sale, exposes for sale, or sells first-class consumer fireworks, an annual fee of four hundred dollars.
  2. Foraretailerorcommunitygroupthatoffersforsale,exposesforsale,orsellssecond-classconsumer fireworks, but not first-class consumer fireworks, an annual fee of one hundred dollars.

b.Alicenseissuedtoaretailerorcommunitygrouppursuanttoparagraph“a”,subparagraph(1),(2),(3), or (4), shall allow the licensee to sell both first-class consumer fireworks and second-class consumer fireworks.

  1. The state fire marshal shall adopt rules to:
    1. Requirethatanyretailerorcommunitygroupofferingforsaleatretailanyconsumerfireworks,asdescribedinAPA87-1,chapter3,shalldosoinaccordancewiththenationalfireprotectionassociationstandard1124,publishedinthecodeforthemanufacture,transportation,storage,andretailsalesoffireworksand pyrotechnic articles, 2006 edition.
    2. Require that a retailer or community group to be issued a license pursuant to this section provide proof ofandmaintaincommercialgeneralliabilityinsurancewithminimumperoccurrencecoverageofatleastonemillion dollars and aggregate coverage of at least two million dollars.
    3. Permit a retailer or community group issued a license pursuant to this section to sell consumer fireworks, as described in APA 87-1, chapter 3, at the following locations as specified:
      1. Atapermanentbuildingthatmeetstherequirementsofparagraph“a”,betweenJune1andJuly8and between December 10 and January 3 each year, all dates inclusive.
      2. At a temporary structure that meets the requirements of paragraph “a” between June 13 and July 8 each year, both dates inclusive.

d. A retailer or community group shall not transfer consumer fireworks, as described in APA 87-1, chapter 3, to a person who is under eighteen years of age.

5.a.Thestatefiremarshalshalladoptrulestoprovidethataperson’sconsumerfireworkssellerlicense mayberevokedfortheintentionalviolationofthissection.Theproceedings forrevocationshallbeheldbeforethedivision of the state fire marshal, which may revoke the license or licenses involved as provided in paragraph “b”.

b.(1)If,uponthehearingoftheordertoshowcause,thedivisionofthestatefiremarshalfindsthatthelicenseeintentionallyviolatedthissection,thenthelicenseorlicensesunderwhichthelicensedretailerorcommunity group sells first-class consumer fireworks or second-class consumer fireworks, shall be revoked.

  1. JudicialreviewofactionsofthedivisionofthestatefiremarshalmaybesoughtinaccordancewiththetermsoftheIowaadministrativeprocedureAct,chapter17A.Ifthelicenseehasnotfiledapetitionforjudicialreviewindistrictcourt,revocationshalldatefromthethirty-firstdayfollowingthedateoftheorderofthedivisionofthestatefiremarshal.Ifthelicenseehasfiledapetitionforjudicialreview,revocationshalldatefromthethirty-firstday following entry oftheorderofthedistrictcourt,ifaction by thedistrictcourtisadverse to the licensee.
  2. Anewlicenseshallnotbeissuedtoapersonwhoselicensehasbeenrevoked,ortothebusinessincontrolofthepremisesonwhichtheviolationoccurredifitisestablishedthattheownerofthebusinesshadactualknowledge of the violation resulting in the license

revocation, for the period of one year following the date of revocation.

6.a.Aconsumerfireworksfeefundiscreatedinthestatetreasuryunderthecontrolofthestatefiremarshal.Notwithstandingsection12C.7,interestorearningsonmoneysinthe consumerfireworksfeefundshallbecreditedtotheconsumerfireworksfeefund.Moneysinthefundareappropriatedtothestatefiremarshaltobeusedtofulfilltheresponsibilitiesofthestatefiremarshalfortheadministrationandenforcementofthissectionandsection100.19Aandtoprovidegrantspursuanttoparagraph“b”.Thefundshallincludethefeescollectedbythestatefiremarshalunderthefeescheduleestablishedpursuanttosubsection3andthefeescollectedbythestatefiremarshalundersection 100.19A forwholesalerregistration.

b.Thestatefiremarshalshallestablishalocalfireprotectionandemergencymedicalserviceprovidersgrantprogramtoprovidegrantstolocalfireprotectionserviceprovidersandlocalemergencymedicalserviceproviderstoestablishorprovidefireworkssafetyeducationprogrammingtomembersofthepublic.Thestatefiremarshalmayalsoprovidegrantstolocalfireprotectionserviceprovidersandlocalemergencymedicalserviceprovidersforthepurchaseofnecessaryenforcement,protection,oremergencyresponseequipmentrelatedtothesale and use of consumer fireworks in this state.

  1. The state fire marshal shall adopt rules for the administration of this section.
  2. A person who violates a provision of this section or a rule adopted pursuant to this section is guilty of a simple misdemeanor.

 

100.19A Consumer fireworks wholesaler — registration — penalty.

  1. For purposes of this section:
    1. “Consumerfireworks”meansfirst-classconsumerfireworksandsecond-classconsumerfireworks,as those terms are defined in section 100.19.
    2. “Wholesaler” means a person who engages in the business of selling or distributing consumer fireworks for the purpose of resale in this state.
  1. Thestatefiremarshalshalladoptrulestorequireallwholesalerstoannuallyregisterwiththestatefire marshal.Thestatefiremarshalmayalsoadoptrulestoregulatethestorageortransferofconsumerfireworksby wholesalers and to require wholesalers to maintain insurance.
  2. The state fire marshal shall establish an annual registration fee of one thousand dollars for wholesalers of consumerfireworkswithinthestate.Registrationfeescollectedpursuanttothissectionshallbedepositedinthe consumer fireworks fee fund created in section 100.19.
  3. A person who violates a provision of this section or a rule adopted pursuant to this sectionis guilty of a simple misdemeanor.

Sec. 5. Section 101A.1, subsection 3, Code 2017, is amended to read as follows:

3.“Explosive”meansanychemicalcompound,mixtureordevice,theprimaryorcommonpurposeofwhichistofunctionbyexplosionwithsubstantiallyinstantaneousreleaseofgasandheat,unlesssuchcompound,mixture,ordeviceisotherwisespecificallyclassifiedbytheUnitedStatesdepartmentoftransportation.Theterm“explosive”includesallmaterialswhichareclassifiedasaclass1,division1.1,1.2,1.3,or1.4explosivebytheUnitedStatesdepartmentoftransportation,under49C.F.R.§173.50,andallmaterialsclassifiedasexplosivematerialsunder18U.S.C.§841,andincludes,butisnotlimitedto,dynamite,blackpowder,pelletpowders,initiatingexplosives,blastingcaps,electricblastingcaps,safetyfuse,fuselighters,fuseigniters,squibs,cordeaudetonativefuse,instantaneousfuse,ignitercord,igniters,smokelesspropellant,cartridgesforpropellant-actuatedpowerdevices,cartridgesforindustrialguns,andoverpressuredevices,butdoesnotinclude“fireworks”as“consumer fireworks”, “displayfireworks”, or “novelties”as thoseterms aredefinedinsection727.2or ammunitionorsmallarmsprimersmanufacturedforuseinshotguns,rifles,andpistols.Commercialexplosivesarethoseexplosiveswhich areintended to beused in commercialorindustrialoperations.

Sec. 6. Section 331.301, Code 2017, is amended by adding the following new subsection:

Theboardofsupervisorsmaybyordinanceorresolutionprohibitorlimittheuseofconsumerfireworksor displayfireworks,asdescribedinsection727.2,iftheboarddeterminesthattheuseofsuchdeviceswouldconstituteathreattopublicsafetyorprivateproperty,oriftheboarddeterminesthattheuseofsuchdeviceswouldconstitute a nuisance to neighboring landowners.

Sec. 7. Section 331.304, subsection 8, Code 2017, is amended to read as follows:

8.Theboard,uponapplication,maygrantpermitsforthedisplayuseofdisplayfireworksasprovidedin section 727.2.

Sec. 8. Section 364.2, Code 2017, is amended by adding the following new subsection:

6.Acitycouncilmaybyordinanceorresolutionprohibitorlimittheuseofconsumerfireworks,display fireworks, or novelties, as described in section 727.2.

Sec. 9. Section 461A.42, subsection 2, Code 2017, is amended to read as follows:

2.Theuseofconsumerfireworksordisplayfireworks,asdefinedinsection727.2,instateparksand preservesisprohibitedexceptasauthorizedbyapermitissuedbythedepartment.Thecommissionshallestablish,byruleadoptedpursuanttochapter17A,afireworkspermitsystemwhichauthorizestheissuanceofalimitednumber of permits to qualified persons to use or display fireworks in selected state parks and preserves.

Sec. 10. Section 727.2, Code 2017, is amended to read as follows:

727.2 Fireworks.

  1. Definitions. For purposes of this section:
    1. “Consumerfireworks”includesfirst-classconsumerfireworksandsecond-classconsumerfireworksas thosetermsaredefinedinsection100.19,subsection1.“Consumerfireworks”doesnotincludenoveltiesenumeratedinchapter3oftheAmericanpyrotechnicsassociation’sstandard87-1ordisplayfireworksenumeratedin chapter 4 of the American pyrotechnics association’s standard 87-1.
    2. Theterm“fireworks”“Displayfireworks”includesanyexplosivecomposition,orcombinationofexplosivesubstances,orarticlepreparedforthepurposeofproducingavisibleoraudibleeffectbycombustion,explosion,deflagration,ordetonation,andincludesblankcartridges,firecrackers,torpedoes,skyrockets,romancandles,orotherfireworksoflikeconstructionandfireworkscontaininganyexplosiveorflammablecompound,orotherdevicecontaininganyexplosivesubstance.Theterm“fireworks”“Displayfireworks”doesnotincludegoldstar-producingsparklersonwireswhichcontainnomagnesiumorchlorateorperchlorate,flittersparklersin

 

paper tubes that do not exceed one-eighth of an inch in diameter, toy snakes which contain no mercury, or caps used incappistolsnoveltiesorconsumerfireworksenumeratedinchapter3oftheAmericanpyrotechnicsassociation’s standard 87-1.

c.“Novelties”includesallnoveltiesenumeratedinchapter3oftheAmericanpyrotechnicsassociation’s standard87-1,andthatcomplywiththelabelingregulationspromulgatedbytheUnitedStatesconsumerproduct safety commission.

  1. Display fireworks.
    1. Aperson,firm,partnership,orcorporationwhooffersforsale,exposesforsale,sellsatretail,orusesorexplodesanydisplayfireworks,commitsasimplemisdemeanor.Inadditiontoanyotherpenalties,thepunishmentimposedforaviolationofthissectionshallinclude assessmentof,punishablebyafineofnotlessthantwohundredfiftydollars.However,theacitycouncilofacityoracountyboardofsupervisorsmay,uponapplicationinwriting,grantapermitforthedisplayofdisplayfireworksbymunicipalities,fairassociations,amusementparks,andotherorganizationsorgroupsofindividualsapprovedbythecityorthecountyboardofsupervisorswhenthedisplayfireworksdisplaywillbehandledbyacompetentoperator,butnosuchpermitshallberequiredforthedisplayofdisplay fireworks at the Iowa state fairgrounds by the Iowa state fair board, at incorporated county fairs, or at districtfairs receiving state aid.Salesofdisplay fireworksforsuch display may be made forthatpurposeonly.
    2. (1)Apersonwhousesorexplodesdisplayfireworkswhiletheuseofsuchdevicesisprohibitedor limitedbyanordinanceorresolutionadoptedbythecountyorcityinwhichthefireworkisusedcommitsasimplemisdemeanor, punishable by a fine of not less than twohundred fifty dollars.

(2) A person who uses or explodes display fireworks while the use of such devices is suspended by an order ofthestatefiremarshalcommitsasimplemisdemeanor,punishablebyafineofnotlessthantwohundredfifty dollars.

 

  1. Consumer fireworks and novelties.
    1. Apersonorafirm,partnership,orcorporationmaypossess,use,orexplodeconsumerfireworksin accordance with this subsection and subsection 4.
    2. Aperson,firm,partnership,orcorporationwhosellsconsumerfireworkstoapersonwhoislessthaneighteen years of age commits a simple misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of not less than two hundred fifty dollars.A person who is less than eighteen years of agewho purchases consumer fireworks commits a simple misdemeanor,punishable by a fine of not less than two hundred fifty dollars.
    3. (1)Apersonwhousesorexplodesconsumerfireworksornoveltieswhiletheuseofsuchdevicesisprohibitedorlimitedbyanordinanceadoptedbythecountyorcityinwhichthefireworksareusedcommitsasimple misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of not less thantwo hundred fifty dollars.

(2)Apersonwhousesorexplodesconsumerfireworksornoveltieswhiletheuseofsuchdevicesis suspended by an order of the state fire marshal commits a simple misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of not less than two hundred fifty dollars.

  1. Limitations.
    1. ApersonshallnotuseorexplodeconsumerfireworksondaysotherthanJune1throughJuly8and December 10 through January 3 of each year, all dates inclusive.
    2. A person shall not use or explode consumer fireworks at times other than between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m., except that on the following dates consumer fireworks shall not be used at times other than between the hours specified:
      1. Betweenthehoursof9:00a.m.and11:00p.m.onJuly4andtheSaturdaysandSundays immediately preceding and following July 4.
      2. Between the hours of 9:00 a.m. on December 31 and 12:30 a.m. on the immediately following day.
      3. Betweenthehoursof9:00a.m.and11:00p.m.ontheSaturdaysandSundaysimmediatelypreceding and following December 31.

c.Apersonshallnotuseconsumerfireworksonrealpropertyotherthanthatperson’srealpropertyoron the real property of a person who has consented to the use of consumerfireworks on that property.

d. Aperson who violates this subsection commits a simple misdemeanor. A court shall not order imprisonment for violation of this subsection.

 

3. 5. Applicability.

a.Thissectiondoesnotprohibitthesalebyaresident,dealer,manufacturer,orjobberofsuchfireworksasare not prohibited by this section, or the sale of any kind of fireworks if they are to be shipped out of the state, or thesaleoruseofblankcartridgesforashoworthetheater,orforsignalpurposesinathleticsportsorbyrailroadsortrucks, for signal purposes,or by a recognized military organization.

b.Thissectiondoesnotapplytoanysubstanceorcompositionpreparedandsoldformedicinalor

fumigatin purposes.

c. Unless specifically provided otherwise, this section does not apply to novelties.

DIVISION II RULEMAKING

Sec.11.EMERGENCYRULES.Thestatefiremarshalshalladoptemergencyrulesundersection17A.4,subsection3,andsection17A.5,subsection2,paragraph“b”,toimplementtheprovisionsofthisActandtherulesshallbeeffectiveimmediatelyuponfilingunlessalaterdateisspecifiedintherules.Anyrulesadoptedinaccordance with this section shall also be published as a notice of intended action as provided in section 17A.4.

 

DIVISION III EFFECTIVE DATE

Sec.12.EFFECTIVEUPONENACTMENT.ThisAct,beingdeemedofimmediateimportance,takes

effect upon enactment.

 

fireworks stars and stripes background