The Guam Fire Department may have some working rules and regulations for the sale and distribution of consumer-grade fireworks on island by June, according to statements made Thursday by Assistant Fire Chief Joey Manibusan, who spoke at a public hearing on legislation meant to reverse the recent legalization of consumer-grade fireworks on Guam.
Lawmakers passed the fireworks legislation late last year, formerly known as Bill 9-37, but not before engaging in some heated debate. Some senators wanted to include provisions limiting the sale of fireworks or other amendments, while others called for an end to the discussion. An amendment to the bill that did manage to pass was related to packaging warnings. The debate yielded concerns about conflicts of interest, discourse on parliamentary procedure and statements of “bully tactics.”
Ultimately, Bill 9 passed with a vote of nine to six.