Written Testimony - Sherill K. Williams, Prevent Blindness Ohio Affiliate, on HB 172 (April 21, 2021)

Summary

Testimony of Sherill K. Williams, President & CEO of Prevent Blindness, Ohio Affiliate, on HB 172, Fireworks Legalization and Regulation, dated April 21st, 2021, to the House Commerce and Labor Committee. The testimony says Prevent Blindness leads a statewide coalition called the Ohio Fireworks Safety Coalition and opposes House Bill 172, while having no position or concern with the industry provisions. It states that roughly half of all fireworks injuries are to innocent bystanders and that Ohio is one of four states that prohibit discharge. It encourages the General Assembly to consider limits and safeguards if discharge is allowed.

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                                                    Ohio Affiliate                 Regional Locations
                                  1500 West Third Avenue, Suite 200    Miami Valley Ohio Chapter - Dayton
                                             Columbus, Ohio 43212      Northeast Ohio Chapter - Cleveland
                           Phone (614) 464-2020 Fax (614) 481-9670        Northwest Ohio Chapter - Toledo
                                            Toll Free (800) 301-2020   Southwest Ohio Chapter - Cincinnati




              TESTIMONY OF SHERILL K. WILLIAMS
            President & CEO, Prevent Blindness, Ohio Affiliate
            HB 172—Fireworks Legalization and Regulation
                            April 21st, 2021

Chairman Stein, Vice Chair Johnson, Ranking Member Lepore-Hagan, and
Members of the House Commerce and Labor Committee, thank you for the
opportunity to offer testimony regarding House Bill 172. I am here today on behalf
of the volunteers and advocates who support Prevent Blindness Ohio.

The Ohio Affliate of Prevent Blindness (PBO) is a charitable non-profit
organization that serves as the voice for Ohio consumers when it comes to eye
health and safety. We serve nearly 1 million Ohioans of all ages each year. We
also take an active role in advocacy to promote eye health and safety. This is the
reason why I am here today to express opposition to House Bill 172.

Prevent Blindness leads a statewide coalition of healthcare providers, hospitals,
fire safety officials, businesses, veterans groups, and animal advocates called the
Ohio Fireworks Safety Coalition. This large and diverse group has continually
opposed fireworks discharge in the Buckeye State. Many of our coalition members
are your constituents and feel strongly that this bill will result in more fireworks
injuries to Ohioans. You should have received written only testimony from several
coalition members representing hundreds of thousands of Ohioans who are
opposed to fireworks discharge.

This is not a new debate in Ohio. In fact, similar bills have been introduced in the
past four General Assemblies. In each instance, advocates such as Prevent
Blindness have come to the Statehouse to share concerns and stories of fireworks
injuries and fatalities. Proponents of the bill generally represent the fireworks
industry and not consumers or constituents.

House Bill 172 would make several changes to Ohio’s fireworks laws, including
legalizing discharge statewide with no restrictuions. There are also some industry-
related changes impacting licensure and regulation. In general, we have no position
or concern with the industry provisions of HB 172. Our concern comes after a
consumer leaves a fireworks retailer and heads home.
Let me state the obvious – some Ohioans disregard the prohibition on discharge
and will let off fireworks during celebrations around Independence Day, New
Years Eve, or other events. We often equate the prohibition on discharge to speed
limits or drunk driving. While illegal, some individuals choose to ignore the speed
limit or drive while impaired. And unfortunately, those decisions can have tragic
outcomes not only for that individual but for others nearby. Much like the speed
limit or laws prohiting drunk driving, Ohio’s prohibition on fireworks discharge
sends a clear message to our citizens: fireworks are dangerous.

Despite industry warnings and public service announcements, many consumers
believe that if something is legalized, it is inherently safe. This is the core of our
concern with HB 172. We have seen injuries increase in other states once
discharge has been legalized. Roughly half of all fireworks injuries are to innocent
bystanders, not to the individual actually lighting fireworks. Many injuries are to
children and fireworks often have a very negative effect on veterans with PTSD,
animal owners, and individuals with developmental disabilities. I know this is
something that the bill sponsors and supporters of HB 172 do not take lightly and
that concerns over public safety are likely the reason fireworks discharge remains
illegal in Ohio.

You may recall from sponsor and proponent testimony that Ohio is one of four
states that prohibit discharge. However, nearly every other state that does permit
discharge places safeguards and limits on fireworks usage. Many restrict the times
of year to days before and after the Fourth of July, others prohibit aerial devices,
and some allow for strong local regulation. Only three other states allow for open-
ended discharge as prescribed in HB 172.

If the General Assembly truly feels that discharge should be allowed in Ohio, then
I would strongly encourage you to look to other states and consider limits and
safeguards for HB 172. In fact, in the prior General Assembly, House Bill 253 was
amended in the Ohio Senate to move the Ohio Fireworks Safety Coalition to
neutral. This was a step in the right direction, though unfortunately HB 253 did not
receive a concurrence vote in the Ohio House before Lame Duck came to a close.

In closing, I want to thank you all for your time and attention to this issue. I hope
that we can have constructive dialogue about fireworks discharge and can adopt a
more safety-concious approach. I would be happy to answer any questions at this
time.


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