Friday, March 20, 2009

Update on Novelty Lighter Legislation in Florida

This update on the Novelty Lighter Legislation in Florida was received by Steve Peavey, Deputy Fire Marshal from the City of Altamonte Springs. Thanks for the update, Steve!

Senate Bill – 806
Passed the Senate Commerce Committee unanimously on 03/17/2009
Currently in the Senate Criminal Justice Committee

House Bill – 471

  • Passed the House Public Safety & Domestic Security Policy Committee unanimously on 03/06/2009
  • Passed the House Insurance, Business & Financial Affairs Policy Committee unanimously on 03/19/2009
  • Currently in the House Criminal & Civil Justice Policy Council Committee

Thanks for the update Steve and good luck to everyone in Florida!


Tuesday, March 10, 2009

Governor Beebe Signs Senate Bill 154 which Bans the Sale and Distribution of Novelty Lighters in Arkansas


On Tuesday, 10th March 2009 in Little Rock, Arkansas, Governor Mike Beebe signed into law Senate Bill 154 which bans the sale and distribution of novelty and toylike lighters. The Bill by Senator Sharon Trusty, R-Russellville was backed by Attorney General Dustin McDaniel and sets a fine between $25 to $500 for retailers selling the lighters. On September 25, 2007, 15-month old Peyton Edwards and 2-year-old Breydon Edwards of Russellville, Arkansas, died after setting fire to their apartment with a motorcycle-shaped lighter. Twenty cities in Arkansas had already passed local ordinances banning the lighters.

In the photo are Front: Senator Sharon Trusty, Governor Mike Beebe, Representative George Overbey and Back: Lt. Mark Shoemaker, North Little Rock Fire Department, Assistant Chief Wayne Gately, West Memphis Fire Department, Dayna Hilton, Arkansas Fire Prevention Commission and Johnson County RFD #1, Jimmy Parks, Arkansas Children's Hospital, Chief Frank Hill, Sherwood Fire Department.

Firesafetyeducator.com's video of Governor Beebe signing the bill, along with an interview with the Governor, is below:







Tuesday, March 3, 2009