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


Senate Research CenterC.S.S.B. 1563
By: Madla
Intergovernmental Relations
4/24/2003
Committee Report (Substituted)


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.
C.S.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 Subsection (b), Section 2154.003, 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 Subsection (c), Section 2154.252, Occupations Code, by
increasing the minimum age for purchasing fireworks from 12 to 16 years of
age. 

SECTION 3.  Effective date:  January 2, 2004.