New Year’s Eve is over, but the fireworks still are flying.
State lawmakers are considering a pair of bills that have sparked debate. And, it’s Plant City High School freshman Arie Fry igniting the fuse.
Fry testified at the Senate Commerce and Tourism Committee Jan. 8, in support of the bills that would repeal Florida’s ban on fireworks. Florida Statute Chapter 791 declares fireworks only can be used in agricultural purposes for scaring birds away. Not included among the banned fireworks are sparklers, party poppers, trick noisemakers and other novelties. Firework vendors have customers sign a form that states the customers are using the fireworks for agricultural practices.
Using his own family as a martyr, Fry admitted his mother, Yvonne Fry, signs the waiver every Fourth of July — despite the fact that she doesn’t use the powerful pyrotechnics to simply scare birds away.
“I think it’s good that more people know about the affidavit,” Arie said.
Members of the committee called the statute a farce and dubbed the potential new law the “We’re Done Lying Bill.”
“It’s not about whether fireworks are safe or scare animals away,” Yvonne said. “It’s about the point of sale. The law isn’t meaningful.”
Fry’s speech certainly caught the attention of the committee, which voted 7-4 in support of SB 314. His rhetoric resounded among the room not in sentences but in song measures. He belted out the opening lines to the national anthem.
“He was probably the first person to sing in that room,” Yvonne said.
After the meeting, Fry heard senators, supporters and opponents talking about the bill, earning him the nickname, “Firework Guy.”
It wasn’t the first time Fry has presented his speech. Fry’s heated quest has been going on for a couple of years.
Fry’s love for fireworks extends back to the early years of his life. The tantalizing colors captivated his interest. But, once he became old enough to know the law, he knew he had to change it. An FFA assignment at Tomlin Middle School gave him a chance.
Investigating how many farmers actually use fireworks to scare birds, Fry conducted experiments on the practice and then report his findings in his FFA speech and at the science fair.
However, when Arie began talking with farmers about the practice, many of them told him using fireworks is an outdated and ineffective practice. So, he converted his project into a survey, asking a sample of 100 people whether they agreed with the Florida statute after learning most farmers don’t use fireworks.
He found that 80% disagreed with the law.
That’s when Arie decided to take his project further than just his competition, presenting it to anyone who could help change it on the books. His audiences have included Sen. Tom Lee, state Rep. Dan Raulerson, Rep. Mark Danish and more than 100 people at the annual Hillsborough Legislative Delegation meeting last year.
“It’s still difficult to get in front of everybody, because these are important people,” Arie said. “They’re senators, lawmakers.”
Now, Fry is working with Sen. Jeff Brandes, R-St. Petersburg, who sponsored the bill. The House bill is sponsored by Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fort Walton.
When Fry presented at the Hillsborough Legislative Delegation, Brandes kept the idea in the back of his mind.
“It’s neat to connect with people in these offices,” Yvonne said. “Arie’s a key part of those conversations and part of a larger issue of economics and government regulation.”
But, Fry also faces many opponents. Wayne Watts, northwest region director for the Florida Fire Chiefs’ Association, spoke against the bill as currently drafted.
“There was a debate on both sides,” Arie said. “People have their views and right to share. But that’s not going to change my mind.”
Throughout the process, Arie has experienced a living civics lesson.
“It’s very interesting to see how a bill gets proposed, gets approved,” he said. “I’ve been able to meet a lot of really cool people. I had no idea I could make this big of an impact and that my idea can make it into law.”
Contact Amber Jurgensen at ajurgensen@plantcityobserver.com.
ABOUT THE STATUTE
Florida Statute Chapter 791 was the result of a Department of Agriculture committee trying to find middle ground between firework lovers and haters, according to Arie Fry’s research.
The law states: “It is unlawful for any person, firm, copartnership or corporation to offer for sale, expose for sale, sell at retail, or use or explode any fireworks. … Nothing in this chapter shall prohibit the importation, purchase, sale or use of fireworks used or to be used solely and exclusively in frightening birds from agricultural works and fish hatcheries.”
ABOUT CS/SB 314
General Bill by Commerce and Tourism and Sen. Jeff Brandes
Fireworks: Repealing provisions relating to the testing and approval of sparklers and the registration of manufacturers, distributors, wholesalers and retailers of sparklers; requiring a retailer or seasonal retailer to register annually with the Division of the State Fire Marshal; repealing provisions relating to the sale and use of fireworks; authorizing a county or municipality to regulate the sale and use of fireworks, sparklers and novelties, etc.
SOURCE: Florida House of Representatives
ABOUT HB 4005
General Bill by Rep. Matt Gaetz
Fireworks: Repeals provisions relating to testing and approval of sparklers and registration of manufacturers, distributors, wholesalers and retailers of sparklers; repeals provisions relating to sale and use of fireworks; repeals provisions relating to bond of licensees; conforms provisions.
SOURCE: Florida House of Representatives