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(FOX40.COM) — State Senator Christopher Cabaldon introduced new legislation on Friday in response to the deadly explosion in Esparto that killed seven people.
Cabaldon introduced Senate Bill 828, which aims to address two major fireworks-related issues: who can receive fireworks permits and how those individuals prove they have received them. The bill comes during a legislative recess that lasts until January.
“If the legislation had been law already, then there’s a very good chance that it would have avoided what happened in Esparto,” Cabaldon said.
Last month, the Office of the State Fire Marshal revoked the licenses of Devastating Pyrotechnics Inc. and Blackstar Fireworks, along with those of their operators, Kenneth Chee and Craig Cutright, following its administrative investigation. A criminal investigation is ongoing.
If approved, SB-828 would require licensees to provide the state fire marshal with local land-use permits and storage site details. It would also allow for the denial of licenses to anyone under indictment or convicted of violent or public-safety crimes, aligning with federal policies.
“We want to make sure the fire marshal has the authority to say, no,” said Cabaldon. “Those are easy to implement. I think the bigger question is what else will be needed?”
However, determining exactly what could be included in future legislation will likely wait until after the state fire marshal’s criminal investigation is complete. According to the Office of the State Fire Marshal’s Arson and Bomb Unit, they are focused on finalizing the report on the investigation into the Esparto explosion. In a statement to FOX40:
“Once finalized, the report will be provided to the Yolo County District Attorney. The report will include details about the explosion portion of the case. The Office of the State Fire Marshal staff continues its work to provide answers that the families and community are waiting for since the explosion. It is our charge to provide the most thorough and detailed report possible to ensure a tragedy like this is prevented from ever happening again.”
SB-828 is just the first step of the legislative fireworks reform process and shows families affected by the tragic explosion that change will be made, Cabaldon said
“We are going to fix this and that we also make sure no one has to go through what is the most horrific tragedy you can imagine,” he said.
According to Cabaldon, legislators are using the time between now and January to be fully prepared. Aiming to “speed run” SB-828 through the Senate, attempting to pass it by the end of January.
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Noah Anderson
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