Hart County Commissioner Calls for Fireworks Regulations

Hart County Commissioner Ricky Carter says he is concerned about a new law about to go into effect that will legalize the sale of fireworks in Georgia.

At their meeting Tuesday evening, Carter said the County needs to begin looking at how to best regulate the use of fireworks.

“I have already have complaints from people and I can already see the writing on the wall,” Carter said. “I think we’re going to have problems once this becomes legal and I think we need to look into it.”

County Attorney Walter Gordon said his concern is how soon the Fourth of July comes after the new legislation becomes law.

Gordon noted there is no time now for the County to come up with any sort of local regulations or ordinance.

“There is no opportunity or time to create a well thought of or considered county regulations between now and the effective date,” Gordon said. “But state law no local law or ordinance can go into effect until January 1, 2016.”

Gordon did advise the County staff begin coming up with a regulation or set of regulations in time to go into effect in January.

According to the County attorney, there are a number of regulations the County can institute.

One is how the County regulates fireworks dealers, both permanent and temporary vendors.  Other regulations the County would be allowed to institute include actual live fireworks displays.

Gordon said the County could institute a licensing fee of $10, which would go through the Probate Court instead of the Sheriff’s office.  Display locations would also have to be approved by the County fire chief.

With the Fourth of July so close, Gordon said there’s little now that can be done to prevent any problems with the use of fireworks.

“With the inability to make meaningful regulations until January first, I think the best thing anyone can do at this point is to caution people to be extremely careful with the use of fireworks,” Gordon said.

The board took no action, but agreed to pursue developing fireworks regulations in time for next year’s July 4th celebration.