BILL ANALYSIS

C.S.H.B. 3590

By: Leo-Wilson

County Affairs

Committee Report (Substituted)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Constituents in House District 23 have called for fireworks to be allowed to be sold to the public for the celebration of the Juneteenth holiday. C.S.H.B. 3590 seeks to address this issue by providing for such sale if approved by a county commissioners court.

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

C.S.H.B. 3590 amends the Occupations Code to authorize a retail fireworks permit holder to sell fireworks to the public for the Juneteenth holiday during the period beginning June 14 and ending at midnight on June 19 in a county in which the commissioners court has approved the sale of fireworks during the period.

C.S.H.B. 3590 amends the Local Government Code to require the Texas A&M Forest Service to make its services available each day during the Juneteenth holiday fireworks season to respond to a county request to determine whether drought conditions exist on average in the county. The bill sets an annual deadline of before June 1 by which the county commissioners court must adopt an order prohibiting or restricting the sale or use of restricted fireworks in the unincorporated area of the county based on a drought determination for that fireworks season.

EFFECTIVE DATE

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

COMPARISON OF INTRODUCED AND SUBSTITUTE

C.S.H.B. 3590 differs from the introduced only by including a Texas Legislative Council draft number in the footer.