Lighting Up the Sky: Senator Kurtis Gregory's Capitol Report Feb. 14, 2025

Friday, February 14, 2025

Senator Kurtis Gregory

21st Senatorial District

 

For Immediate Release: 

Feb. 14, 2025

 

Capitol Building, Room 433

Jefferson City, MO 65101

 

Contact T.C. Farrar: 

 573-751-4302

 

Lighting Up the Sky


I love a good fireworks display. Whether it’s for a football game or celebrating our nation, fireworks are one of the best ways to celebrate, and Missouri is a leader in the fireworks industry. It supplies tax revenue as well as employment opportunities. Unfortunately, the laws regulating it have not really been updated since 1985, except for a small exception in the early 2000s.

 

That’s why I’m happy to share that the Committee on Transportation, Infrastructure and Public Safety voted out my Senate Bill 81 this week. This bill would update firework safety laws by giving law enforcement disciplinary standards and methods to punish bad actors while also ensuring there are fair practices in play. I have worked with fire marshals, retailers and distributers to write this legislation. 

 

I believe in simple, easy to understand and implement legislation, and SB 81 is simply an update to the laws already in place and should not affect most local retailers negatively. I am confident this will remove confusion in regard to the fireworks industry and help modernize the legal codes. Now it will move to the Senate Floor where it can be discussed, debated and ultimately passed.

 

If you have any questions or concerns please visit or call my office so we can discuss them. Have a happy Valentine’s day.

 

Please feel free to contact my office at 573-751-4302. For information about my committee assignments or sponsored legislation, please visit my official Missouri Senate website at senate.mo.gov/KurtisGregory.