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Fireworks Task Force Update
The Fireworks Task Force recommendations were presented and then discussed in Senate Agriculture Committee on 2/21/08. The recommendations reflect both the industry and local governments desire to resolve the issue between the illegal sale and use of fireworks and the inconsistent permitting process of fireworks throughout the state without state standards. Mike Long, from the Division of Forestry, who was the Chairman of the Task Force, provided the recommendations to the committee. In his conclusions, he requested that a second task force be established that includes law enforcement and fire safety officials as well as fireworks representatives and local government representation and that the second task force be given the entire next year to develop actual legislative language. Amanda Ghaffari testified supporting Mr. Long's presentation and his final recommendation, and also voiced FAC’s concerns over some of the unfeasible recommendations. Chairman Alexander of the Senate Agriculture Committee requested the members of the committee think about what they would like to do this year legislatively. Chairman Alexander seemed very open to creating the second task force and only pursing that this year.