(Kingston, NY) The annual journey across state lines to prepare for family Fourth of July festivities may unnecessary this year, if Legislator Richard Gerentine’s (District 11 – Marlborough) proposed local law passes.  With consumer firework revenue at $664 million in 2013, this proposed local law will actually generate new revenue for Ulster County when other economic development strategies, such as a casino, have not.

Legislator Gerentine noted, “We have an opportunity bring consumer spending back home. Local businesses will benefit and our residents will not have to travel so far just to bring a sparkler to their next July 4^th picnic.”

Ulster County Proposed Local Law #1 of 2015 enacts the local component of a recently chaptered New York State law, which modernized the statute dealing with illegal fireworks, provided additional definitions of what constitutes fireworks as well as dangerous fireworks, and removed certain novelty devices, which were not recognized as fireworks by the federal government, out of the definition of fireworks.

“I have been shown that when given the opportunity to purchase safe “sparkler devices”, firework related injuries actually go down,” stated Legislator Gerentine.

The State of Connecticut legalized the use of sparkling devices in 2000 and by 2014, the Connecticut Department of Public Safety reported firework related injuries decreased by 58%.

With the passage of Proposed Local Law #1 of 2015, “sparkler devices” will be sold to those over 18 between June 1^st through July 5^th and December 26^th to January 2^nd of each calendar year by New York Department of State licensed retailers. 

Proposed Local Law #1 of 2015 has been submitted for consideration at the February 17, 2015 Session of the Ulster County Legislature.