HBA-ALS H.B. 2279 76(R) BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 2279 By: Swinford State Affairs 3/16/1999 Introduced BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Currently, a commissioners court may regulate the use of only certain aerial fireworks during drought conditions. The purpose of this bill is to allow a county to prohibit or restrict the use of all types of fireworks during drought conditions. H.B. 2279 broadens the definition of "fireworks" to include any composition or device designed for entertainment to produce a visible or audible effect by combustion, explosion, deflagration, or detonation, and allows a county to regulate the use of such devices in any area of that county where drought conditions exist. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends the heading of Section 240.904, Local Government Code, as follows: Sec. 240.904. New title: REGULATION OF FIREWORKS. Deletes "certain" from existing title. SECTION 2. Amends Section 240.904(a)(1), Local Government Code, to define "fireworks" as having the meaning assigned to it by Section 1, Article 5.43-4, Insurance Code (Fireworks). Deletes the definition of "aerial fireworks." SECTION 3. Amends Sections 240.904(c), (f), and (g), Local Government Code, to make conforming and nonsubstantive changes. SECTION 4. Emergency clause. Effective date: upon passage.