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Gov. Linda Lingle signed a bill into law today that allows counties to ban fireworks.
The bill grew out of concerns from residents about excessive fireworks displays around New Year’s Eve. It was a compromise approved by the state Legislature after a statewide ban on fireworks failed to advance.
State law allows consumer fireworks on New Year’s Eve, Chinese New Year, and the Fourth of July. Aerial fireworks are prohibited except for permitted displays.
The new law, which was opposed by the fireworks industry, gives counties the discretion to approve fireworks regulations that are tougher than state law. The state law was passed in 1994 to bring uniformity to various county restrictions.
