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Public Act 257 of 2012

1. Introduced by Sen. Rick Jones (R) on February 22, 2011, to establish a comprehensive regulatory regime for the sale, distribution and use of fireworks, including licensing, fees, and retail location taxes. Prohibitions on some types of “consumer fireworks” that are currently illegal would be removed, and this appears to include firecrackers, bottle rockets, aerial spinners, Roman candles, etc. (“APA standard 87-1” fireworks). The bill proposes a $5,000 permit fee for selling these fireworks, and mandates that they be sold only from permanent buildings meeting specified requirements. “Low grade” fireworks (sparklers, etc.) could be sold from supermarkets and other large retail stores as is current practice, or by a nonprofit organization from a tent placed in a narrow set of specified locations.
   • Referred to the Senate Regulatory Reform Committee on February 22, 2011.
     • Reported in the Senate on June 6, 2012, with the recommendation that the substitute (S-2) be adopted and that the bill then pass.
   • Substitute offered in the Senate on June 6, 2012, to use the bill as a "vehicle" to amend details of the 2011 law doing what this one originally would have done, repealing a prohibition ons sales of "consumer fireworks". The substitute passed by voice vote in the Senate on June 6, 2012.
2. Passed 38 to 0 in the Senate on June 6, 2012, to increase penalties for violations of the 2011 law allowing sales of "consumer fireworks.
   Who Voted "Yes" and Who Voted "No"
   
   
3. Received in the House on June 7, 2012.
   • Motion by Rep. Jim Stamas (R) on June 7, 2012. The motion passed by voice vote in the House on June 7, 2012.
   • Amendment offered by Rep. Charles Brunner (D) on June 12, 2012, to require the state to notify local governments of the changes proposed by the bill if passed. The amendment failed by voice vote in the House on June 12, 2012.
   • Amendment offered by Rep. Jim Townsend (D) on June 12, 2012, to allow local governments to impose more restrictive regulations. The amendment failed by voice vote in the House on June 12, 2012.
   • Amendment offered by Rep. Hugh Crawford (R) on June 12, 2012, to clarify that certain penalties in the bill are for a second violation. The amendment passed by voice vote in the House on June 12, 2012.
   • Amendment offered by Rep. Tom McMillin (R) on June 13, 2012, to strip out a provision subjecting a minor in possession of fireworks to a $500 fine. The amendment passed by voice vote in the House on June 13, 2012.
4. Passed 93 to 17 in the House on June 13, 2012, to increase penalties for violations of the 2011 law allowing sales of "consumer fireworks".
   Who Voted "Yes" and Who Voted "No"
   
   
5. Received in the Senate on June 13, 2012.
6. Passed 35 to 1 in the Senate on June 13, 2012, to concur with the House-passed version of the bill.
   Who Voted "Yes" and Who Voted "No"
   
   
7. Signed by Gov. Rick Snyder on June 25, 2012.