Senate File 487 - Introduced SENATE FILE BY COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY (SUCCESSOR TO SF 330) Passed Senate, Date Passed House, Date Vote: Ayes Nays Vote: Ayes Nays Approved A BILL FOR 1 An Act requiring the state fire marshal to assess the practice 2 and impact of selling novelty lighters. 3 BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA: 4 TLSB 2720SV 82 5 rn/je/5 PAG LIN 1 1 Section 1. NOVELTY LIGHTER SALES == IMPACT ASSESSMENT. 1 2 1. The state fire marshal shall assess the degree to which 1 3 the sale of novelty lighters may increase the likelihood of 1 4 accidental fire, and related injury or death. For purposes of 1 5 this section, "novelty lighter" means a cigarette lighter or 1 6 other incendiary device which exhibits a design which deviates 1 7 from the normal design of such lighters or devices in terms of 1 8 the nature of the object depicted, such as an animal, 1 9 inanimate object shape, firearm, or other novel or unusual 1 10 design which is intended to attract the purchaser. In 1 11 conducting the assessment, the state fire marshal shall focus 1 12 on the extent to which children and youth may be more inclined 1 13 to pick up and utilize novelty lighters by virtue of their 1 14 unique design characteristics, and shall make a determination 1 15 or render an estimate regarding the number of accidental fires 1 16 involving or started by children and youth in which novelty 1 17 lighters may have been involved. 1 18 2. The state fire marshal shall prepare a report based on 1 19 the assessment, which shall include recommendations regarding 1 20 restrictions on the sale of novelty lighters, and shall submit 1 21 the report to the members of the general assembly by January 1 22 1, 2008. 1 23 EXPLANATION 1 24 This bill requires the state fire marshal to assess the 1 25 degree to which novelty lighter sales may increase the 1 26 likelihood of accidental fire, and related injury or death. 1 27 The bill defines a "novelty lighter" as a cigarette lighter or 1 28 other incendiary device which exhibits a design which deviates 1 29 from the normal design of such lighters or devices in terms of 1 30 the nature of the object depicted and which is intended to 1 31 attract the purchaser as a result. The bill provides as 1 32 examples of novel designs an animal, inanimate object shape, 1 33 or firearm. The bill provides that in conducting the 1 34 assessment, the state fire marshal shall focus on the extent 1 35 to which children and youth may be more inclined to pick up 2 1 and utilize novelty lighters by virtue of their unique design 2 2 characteristics, and shall determine or estimate the number of 2 3 accidental fires involving or started by children and youth in 2 4 which novelty lighters may have been involved. 2 5 The bill states that the state fire marshal shall prepare a 2 6 report based on the assessment, including recommendations 2 7 regarding restrictions on the sale of novelty lighters, and 2 8 shall submit the report to the members of the general assembly 2 9 by January 1, 2008. 2 10 LSB 2720SV 82 2 11 rn:nh/je/5