Government : Bill limiting Firework Laws approved before America's 250th Birthday

A bill was passed by the Iowa House on Monday, May 12 which limits the local government's ability to restrict the use of fireworks. This will allow the state to participate in the celebration of the country's 250th birthday celebrations in 2026.

Senate File 303 passed in the Iowa House by a 51-39 vote which sends the bill to the Governor's desk. The bill would prohibit any county boards of supervisors or city councils from prohibiting the use of fireworks on July 3, 4 and December 31, outside of Iowa Code.

Iowa has certain constraints on fireworks that are legal from June 1 through July 8 and from December 10 through January 3. The sale of fireworks to minors and use of "display" fireworks are illegal outside of local approval. The law also sets time restrictions on fireworks.

If the bill is signed into law, it removes ordinances or regulations set by local governments who ban or restrict fireworks.

President Trump has proposed a yearlong celebration of the country's 250th anniversary and has floated bringing the celebration to the Iowa State Fairgrounds from Memorial Day 2025 to July 4, 2026.

The bill would allow residents to set off fireworks without any regulations.

Representative Eric Gjerde, of Cedar Rapids, introduced an amendment prohibiting "consumer fireworks for personal use." In Cedar Rapids, the Cedar Rapids Fire Department received 636 calls for service concerning firework use between June 1 and July 8, 2024. There were dumpster, grass and debris fires and calls from people who thought they heard gunshots, which required law enforcement to respond.

He also brought up veterans who suffer from PTSD which affects them when fireworks go off nearby. His amendment failed.

Gustoff said that when it comes to fireworks, there is "no denying that they have broad-based appeal, and they're here to stay."

The bill will go to the Governor for final approval.