MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- The state Assembly has passed a bill prohibiting government officials from banning live Christmas trees in churches and the state Capitol rotunda.
National Fire Protection Association guidelines call for banning live Christmas trees in places where 50 people or more gather. But the guidelines also allow limited quantities of combustible vegetation if local fire officials decide adequate safeguards are in place.
Under the bill, the state and municipal governments would be forbidden from passing any rules or ordinances prohibiting the seasonal placement of Christmas trees in the Capitol rotunda or in a church. Trees in the rotunda and churches would be presumed to be safe during fire inspections.
The Assembly approved the bill Tuesday evening. It goes next to the state Senate.
