SRC-JEC, MSY S.B. 1563 78(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 1563
By: Madla
Intergovernmental Relations
4/11/2003
As Filed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Under current Texas law, a county commissioners court may prohibit the use
of certain "aerial fireworks" when a drought condition exists in all or
part of a county.  However, some believe that certain aerial fireworks
such as "stick rockets" and missiles with fins or rudders have
uncontrollable flight patterns and constitute a threat in any conditions.
As proposed, S.B. 1563 adds such aerial fireworks to the list of
non-permissible fireworks, and raises the minimum age for purchasing
fireworks from 12 to 16 years of age. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to
a state officer, institution, or agency. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Section 2154.003(b), Occupations Code, by redesignating
existing Subdivision (2) as Subdivision (3) and adding a new Subdivision
(2), as follows: 

(2)  Provides that certain "aerial fireworks" classified as "skyrockets
with sticks" and certain other pyrotechnic devices are not permissible
fireworks. 

SECTION 2.  Amends Section 2154.252(c), Occupations Code, by increasing
the minimum age for purchasing fireworks from 12 to 16 years of age. 

SECTION 3.  Effective date:  January 1, 2004.