84R359 NC-D
 
  By: Harless H.B. No. 152
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the authority of the voters of certain counties to
  authorize the county to regulate the sale and use of fireworks;
  providing penalties.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subchapter C, Chapter 352, Local Government
  Code, is amended by adding Section 352.052 to read as follows:
         Sec. 352.052.  ADDITIONAL REGULATION OF FIREWORKS IN CERTAIN
  COUNTIES. (a)  In this section, "fireworks" means any composition
  or device designed for entertainment to produce a visible or
  audible effect by combustion, explosion, deflagration, or
  detonation.
         (b)  This section does not apply to:
               (1)  toy pistols, toy canes, toy guns, or other devices
  that use paper or plastic caps in sheets, strips, rolls, or
  individual caps containing not more than an average of 25/100 of a
  grain of explosive composition for each cap and that are approved
  for transportation according to 49 C.F.R. Part 173 (1996);
               (2)  model rockets and model rocket motors designed,
  sold, and used for the purpose of propelling recoverable aero
  models;
               (3)  propelling or expelling charges consisting of a
  mixture of sulfur, charcoal, and potassium nitrate;
               (4)  novelties and trick noisemakers;
               (5)  the sale, at wholesale, of any type of fireworks by
  a resident manufacturer, distributor, importer, or jobber if the
  fireworks are intended for shipment directly out of state in
  accordance with the regulations of the United States Department of
  Transportation;
               (6)  the sale, and use in emergency situations, of
  pyrotechnic signaling devices or distress signals for marine,
  aviation, or highway use;
               (7)  the use of fusee and railway torpedoes by
  railroads;
               (8)  the sale of blank cartridges for use in radio,
  television, film, or theater productions, for signal or ceremonial
  purposes in athletic events, or for industrial purposes;
               (9)  the use of any pyrotechnic device by military
  organizations; or
               (10)  a public fireworks display conducted by a
  licensed pyrotechnic operator.
         (c)  This section applies only to a county with a population
  of 3.3 million or more.
         (d)  The commissioners court of a county may order and hold
  an election on the question of granting the commissioners court
  authority to prohibit or otherwise regulate the sale or use of
  fireworks in the unincorporated area of the county to promote
  public health, safety, or welfare.  The ballot shall be printed to
  provide for voting for or against the proposition: "Granting the
  Commissioners Court of (name of county) the authority to prohibit
  or otherwise regulate the sale or use of fireworks in the
  unincorporated area of (name of county) to promote public health,
  safety, or welfare." If a majority of the qualified voters voting
  in the election approves the proposition, the commissioners court
  may, by order, prohibit or otherwise regulate fireworks as provided
  by this section.
         (e)  A person who violates a prohibition or regulation
  adopted by the county under this section is liable to the county for
  a civil penalty of not more than $100 for each violation. Each day a
  violation continues is considered a separate violation for purposes
  of assessing the civil penalty.  A county may bring suit in a
  district court to recover a civil penalty authorized by this
  subsection.
         (f)  A person commits an offense if the person intentionally
  or knowingly violates a prohibition or regulation adopted under
  this section by the commissioners court.  An offense under this
  subsection is a Class C misdemeanor.
         (g)  Authority under this section is cumulative of other
  authority that a county has to regulate the sale or use of fireworks
  and does not limit that other authority.
         SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
  a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
  provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this
  Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
  Act takes effect September 1, 2015.