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SALT LAKE CITY — Utah lawmakers approved a bill Monday allowing "cake" fireworks to be sold in the state.
HB22, sponsored by Rep. Jim Dunnigan, R-Taylorsville, permits fireworks that remain on the ground but shoot sparks higher than the 15 feet currently allowed in the law.
Still prohibited are bottle rockets and other fireworks that leave the ground after being ignited. Roman candles, firecrackers and cherry bombs also continue to be illegal.
The bill also alters when fireworks may be legally used, from June 26 through July 26. They currently can be purchased sooner, but not used until just before and after the July 4 and July 24 holidays.
Dunnigan has said legalizing additional types of fireworks would bring more revenue to the state without adding unreasonable risk to users.
But when the bill hit the Senate last Friday, Sen. Chris Butttars, R-West Jordan, opposed the bill, warning that "it just widens the gate to more accidents."
Before being passed by the Senate, the bill was amended to coordinate with the state fire code. With the House's 70-0 vote to concur with the amendment Monday, the bill now goes to Gov. Gary Herbert.
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