|
|
|
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
|
|
AN ACT
|
|
relating to the prohibition by counties of the use of fireworks |
|
during certain hours; creating a criminal offense. |
|
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. PROHIBITION ON FIREWORK USE DURING CERTAIN |
|
HOURS. (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) The commissioners court of a county by order may |
|
prohibit the use of fireworks in the unincorporated area of the |
|
county during the hours specified by the order. The order may |
|
include: |
|
(1) an exemption for holidays, including New Year's |
|
Eve and July 4; and |
|
(2) a process by which a person may apply to the county |
|
for a permit to use fireworks during a time prohibited by the order. |
|
(c) A person commits an offense if the person intentionally |
|
or knowingly violates a prohibition adopted under this section by |
|
the commissioners court. An offense under this subsection is a |
|
Class C misdemeanor. |
|
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, 2017. |