Nebraska fireworks sales begin this week after lawmakers increased State Fire Marshal fees
Revelers enjoy the July 4 fireworks in Ralston, Neb., in 2016. (Aaron Sanderford/Nebraska Examiner)
LINCOLN — The return of retail fireworks sales this week comes after Nebraska lawmakers increased State Fire Marshal fees this spring, many for the first time in nearly four decades.
Retail fireworks sales started Tuesday ahead of Independence Day (July 4), with sales able to continue through July 5 on a July license, according to state law. The same law required such seasonal retail license applications — now $100 per stand, instead of $25 — to be received no later than June 9.
Other fireworks aficionados are also paying higher fees this season, such as jobbers at $400 (up from $200) and distributors at $1,000 (up from $500).
Anyone wishing to conduct a public exhibition or 'display fireworks' must receive a 'display' permit, now costing $100 per date, up from $10.
State Sen. Dave Wordekemper of Fremont, who led the proposed fee increases through Legislative Bill 434 this year at the request of the State Fire Marshal's Office, said this spring that the fees were a 'critical need that has been overlooked for far too long.'
Wordekemper said, for instance, that some of the fire marshal's state fees had not been changed since the 1980s or 1990s. The increases, he said, still wouldn't keep up with the actual costs of such services.
'These fee increases are not taken lightly, but they are necessary to ensure the continued operation of vital safety services that protect our communities, schools, hospitals and businesses,' Wordekemper said in April.
State Sen. Christy Armendariz of Omaha, vice chair of the Legislature's Appropriations Committee, gave Wordekemper's bill a boost on the floor saying that the alternative would be more funds from the state's main pocketbook, fueled by sales and income taxes. She said the fee increases would not touch family homes.
Armendariz noted there is some 'sticker shock' to some of the increases, but she and Wordekemper said that might not have been the case if the fees were more regularly updated.
All fees increasing under LB 434:
Fireworks display permit — $100 per date (up from $10).
Fireworks distributor's license — $1,000 (up from $500).
Fireworks jobber's license — $400 (up from $200).
Fireworks retailer's license — $100 per stand (up from $25).
Fire alarm inspections — Up to $200 (previous cap was $100).
State fire code inspections and compliance, late submittal after remodeling or construction — 50% of projected plan review fee (up from $50 flat fee).
Fire safety inspections — $50-$300 (up from $25-$150).
Plan reviews (beginning Sept. 1) — Up to $5,000 (previous cap was $500)
Plan reviews for accessibility standards and specifications — Up to $5,000 (previous cap was $250).
Water-based fire protection system contractor certificate (and renewals) — Up to $200 (previous cap was $100).
Tank registration for farm or residential (one-time fee) — $10 (up from $5).
Tank installation permit — $75 (up from $50).
Tank registration permit (annual) — Up to $60 (previous cap was $30).
The State Fire Marshal's Office estimates collecting an additional $800,000 in revenue the next fiscal year (beginning July 1) and $1.5 million the following fiscal year, which could be used to reduce or replace 'reliance' on state dollars.
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