Georgia's exemption of explosives regulations for hobby rocketry enthusiasts.

ATLANTA, Georgia USA — Nearly five years of behind the scenes work by one man in the state of Georgia has paid dividends, where the Office of Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner has announced a state-wide exemption from explosive licensing requirements for the state's participants of hobby rocketry.

Burl Finkelstein, a hobby rocketry enthusiast from Shenandoah, Georgia has been working nearly half a decade to gain relief for fliers from the state's explosives licensing, a process that is more aimed at professional blasters, not hobbyists who are launching rockets.

In the announcement, which the state mailed to individuals licensed by the state for explosives use, alerted affected hobbyists that beginning with the 2009 renewal year, individuals who were registering with them solely for the purpose of flying hobby rockets would no longer need to do so, stating that they would now be exempt from the state's explosives licensing requirement.

Finkelstein, who is an attorney licensed to practice in the state, is a name you may recognize as one who has also been working on a national level with representatives of the ATF in Washington, DC in an attempt to define and identify alternative working arrangements for rocketry clubs to allow non-licensed members to fly high power rockets.

His plan in Georgia was two-pronged, seeking an administrative solution through the State Fire Marshall's office to change the interpretation of the law, as well as a legislative approach, asking the state assembly to revise the law.

"I got them both to agree it was the right thing to do," Finkelstein stated today. "The Fire Marshall came through first, I was promised legislative relief this coming session."
 
In light of activities in other states recently, such as Washington, where the state has raised the annual licensing fee and is now re-fingerprinting licensees every year, and Colorado, where enthusiasts are facing an increase from $25 per year to $450 per year, blanket changes made without considering the impact it would have on non-blasting licensees, this is definitely good news from the state of Georgia. 

"I hope it pulls more Georgians back into high power," Finkelstein added.

10-05-2008 09:24 PM  #1
Matt Certified Level Two   Joined: Aug 2008 Posts: 53	Re: Article: Georgia announces exemption from explosives licensing Perhaps a sign of things to come?

10-05-2008 09:42 PM  #2
gregm Stupid should be painful!   Joined: May 2007 Posts: 179	Re: Article: Georgia announces exemption from explosives licensing Quote: Perhaps a sign of things to come? Hopefully so. Great work Burl!!

10-05-2008 09:42 PM  #3
Just Jerry Freeform rockets advocate   Joined: Aug 2006 Posts: 1419	Re: Article: Georgia announces exemption from explosives licensing I hope he is reading this. The letter makes reference to model rocketry, high power rocketry, high power model rocketry, and does so in a way that if read literally, certain defined aspects of consumer rockets are not exempt from the rules as intended. Be SURE the legally accurate terms of "model rocketry", "high power rocketry" and "amateur rocketry" are specifically listed in the legislation and used as a model propogating across state laws as "best practices" are adopted. This is a case where that article that mentioned model rocketry just recently is precisely on-topic. They really should also address pyrotechnic artisans by simply requiring a written disclosure of intended activities. Jerry

10-05-2008 10:01 PM  #4
Chris at CLPL New Member   Joined: Oct 2007 Posts: 3	Re: Article: Georgia announces exemption from explosives licensing Thanks, Burl, Considering how little free time most of us have, your efforts, and results are examples for the rest of us to follow. Thanks for being one of us. Chris

10-06-2008 03:26 AM  #5
agrippo Certified Level Three   Joined: Aug 2006 Posts: 147	Re: Article: Georgia announces exemption from explosives licensing Outstanding effort. Thanks Burl.

10-06-2008 05:57 AM  #6
roadkill Definitely Certifiable...   Joined: Aug 2006 Posts: 69	Re: Article: Georgia announces exemption from explosives licensing Bravo !

10-06-2008 10:50 AM  #7
denverdoc Hall Monitor   Joined: Aug 2007 Posts: 3200	Re: Article: Georgia announces exemption from explosives licensing Burl, If you get tired of Georgia, I'm sure there are folks in Colorado who would love to make your acquaintance. Great job and a reassuring reminder that a solo voice can still make a difference. Bravo!

10-06-2008 12:42 PM  #8
Burl F New Member   Joined: Mar 2007 Posts: 7	Re: Article: Georgia announces exemption from explosives licensing Yes, I read this and I will break my policy of not bogging my own facts. If you want to win a negotiation, you need to stop arguing when the other side agrees with you. If you continue to argue you can talk yourself out of the win. The letter is crystal clear.. If you had a Georgiaa explosives license soley for rocketry you no longer need it.. Unless you are planning to be the next “astronaut farmer”. Burl

10-06-2008 12:47 PM  #9
Burl F New Member   Joined: Mar 2007 Posts: 7	Re: Article: Georgia announces exemption from explosives licensing The answer above is for Jerry. To people in other states I am trying to do something to clarify how the states use the BATFE list of license holders. Since the legislative intent of most states is to cover blasting and high explosives if we can show we are not supposed to be covered by state law we have a chance. It worked in Georgia but took a while. Burl

10-06-2008 05:02 PM  #10
Just Jerry Freeform rockets advocate   Joined: Aug 2006 Posts: 1419	Re: Article: Georgia announces exemption from explosives licensing I didn't want to start out with a me-too comment but try to add value to your impressive efforts, and more to the point, results! I agree with your negotiating tactic. No need to snatch defeat from the arms of victory. As for it taking 5 years, that was quick and easy! Sensational job. My comments made reference to LEGISLATION since that tends to be around longer and is often cloned state to state. I have been doing this a while and have gotten a few laws installed myself. Just Jerry

10-06-2008 06:05 PM  #11
bvatsaas New Member   Joined: Apr 2007 Posts: 2	Re: Article: Georgia announces exemption from explosives licensing If only there were 50 of Burl and we could have one working in every state. Sadly, Burl is one of a kind -- a truly remarkable fellow.

10-06-2008 06:10 PM  #12
UncleVanya If pigs had fins...   Joined: Sep 2007 Posts: 4072	Re: Article: Georgia announces exemption from explosives licensing Quote: If only there were 50 of Burl and we could have one working in every state. Sadly, Burl is one of a kind -- a truly remarkable fellow. I second that. Great family as well.

10-07-2008 01:07 AM  #13
rvatsaas New Member   Joined: Oct 2008 Posts: 1	Re: Article: Georgia announces exemption from explosives licensing Burl: Cheers to your success on behalf of us all!

10-07-2008 08:13 PM  #14
Sandy H. Certified Level One   Joined: Jul 2007 Posts: 13	Re: Article: Georgia announces exemption from explosives licensing Great Job! I met you briefly at Orangeburg and had no idea you were involved in solving this problem in Georgia. Then, I commented on your space man, now I simply comment: You 'da Man! Thanks for what you've done for the hobby. Sandy.