A new bill has been introduced in Lansing that would give local governments more control over when people could use fireworks in Michigan.
State Rep. John Chirkun (D-Roseville) introduced the legislation on Thursday.
Under current state law, people in Michigan can use fireworks on the day before, the day of or the day after any national holiday, for a total of 30 days throughout the year.
Rep. Chirkun's bill would allow local governments to limit those days to only nine per year. Under his legislation, local governments would have the option to limit fireworks use to the day before, the day of or the day after New Year's Day, Memorial Day and the Fourth of July.
The bill would also allow local leaders to ban fireworks on those days between 11 p.m. and 10 a.m., except for New Year's Day, when fireworks could be banned between 1 a.m. and 8 a.m.
Rep. Chirkun said one reason he decided to introduce the bill was because of complaints from veterans who struggle with PTSD and are bothered by fireworks noise.
"I regularly get complaints on holiday weekends about the fireworks people are shooting off in their neighborhoods, and if we can't repeal the law, then it's time that we do something to make it work better for all our citizens," said Rep. Chirkun. "People who enjoy a fireworks show should be able to see one, but we can't have fireworks going off into the wee hours of the morning because that isn't fair to the people who want peace and quiet and a good night's sleep."
His legislation would also increase the fine for violating local ordinances.
