BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 2085

By: Landgraf

County Affairs

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The sale of fireworks for the Cinco de Mayo holiday is restricted to a location that is not more than 100 miles from the Texas-Mexico border and that is in a county in which the commissioners court has approved the sale of fireworks for the holiday. Ector County falls outside of this distance requirement and as such the commissioners court does not currently have the option of approving the sale of fireworks in the county for the holiday. H.B. 2085 seeks to address this issue by expanding the region that allows such an option.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

H.B. 2085 amends the Occupations Code to extend from 100 miles to 150 miles the distance from the Texas-Mexico border within which a retail fireworks permit holder may sell fireworks to the public during the period beginning May 1 and ending at midnight on May 5 in a county that has approved the sale of fireworks during the period.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2023.