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The Utah Senate approved legislation Thursday that would restrict the window allowed for fireworks displays to three days before and after July 4and July 24.
HB33 also would impose a curfew of 11 p.m., except on July 4 and 24, when fireworks could be set off until midnight. They could also be launched until1 a.m. on New Year's Eve and on Chinese New Year.
The bill, sponsored by Rep. Jim Dunnigan, R-Taylorsville, seeks to address constituent complaints about the noise from new, bigger aerial fireworks that were legalized in Utah last year.
"When I have these sweet old ladies call me because they're upset about the fireworks going off in the neighborhood, do I give them your number or Rep. Dunnigan's number?" Sen. Lyle Hillyard, R-Logan, asked Sen. John Valentine, R-Orem, the Senate sponsor of the measure.
Because the Senate amended the bill to add the midnight curfew, the House still must agree to the change before it goes to Gov. Gary Herbert for his signature.
Robert Gehrke