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Michigan Lawmakers Vote To Expand Fireworks Sales

LANSING (WWJ/AP) - It's something explosive to celebrate for 4th of July fans. Michigan residents will now be able to legally buy more powerful, higher-grade fireworks based on legislation passed Thursday in the state House and Senate.

WWJ Newsradio 950 got the details from our Lansing Bureau Chief Tim Skubick.

"Legislation sometimes takes a long time. It has been about six years that this legislation has been in the works and finally the finishing touches [have been] put on it," said Skubick.

Fireworks Law

Michigan's current list of legal fireworks for residents without special permits is limited to sparklers, toy noisemakers and similar devices. Some types of bottle rockets, fire crackers, aerial spinners and Roman candles are among the fireworks that will be legal to buy in our state under the new law.

"So, when the next 4th of July rolls along ... you don't have to go to another state to find those explosive fireworks because this is now a done deal," Skubick said.

Skubick said Gov. Rick Snyder is expected to sign the legislation, even though he "sort of made fun" of the so-called "boom boom bill" when he was on the campaign trail.

Retailers will have to pay safety fees to sell the higher-grade fireworks.

Skubick said fireworks sales are expected to raise between $12 million and $15 million in state revenue.

(TM and © Copyright 2011 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2011 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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