BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	H.B. 554
	By: Leo Wilson et al. (Middleton)
	Local Government
	5/7/2025
	Engrossed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

The bill author has informed the committee that constituents in House District 23 have called for fireworks to be allowed to be sold to the public for the celebration of the Juneteenth holiday. H.B. 554 seeks to address this issue by providing for such sale if approved by a county commissioners court.

H.B. 554 amends current law relating to the sale of fireworks on and before the Juneteenth holiday.

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 2154.202(g), Occupations Code, as follows:

(g) Provides that, except as provided by Subsection (h) (relating to providing that the commissioners court of a county is authorized to allow a retail fireworks permit holder to sell fireworks in that county only to the public and only during certain periods), a retail fireworks permit holder is authorized to sell fireworks only to the public, and only during certain periods, including beginning June 14 and ending at midnight on June 19 in a county in which the commissioners court of the county has approved the sale of fireworks during the period. Makes nonsubstantive changes.

SECTION 2. Amends Sections 352.051(b) and (d), Local Government Code, as follows:

(b) Requires the Texas A&M Forest Service to make its services available each day during certain fireworks seasons, including the Juneteenth fireworks season, to respond to the request of any county for a determination whether drought conditions exist on average in the county.

(d) Requires that an order prohibiting or restricting the sale or use of restricted fireworks, to facilitate compliance with the order adopted under Subsection (c) (relating to authorizing the commissioners court to prohibit or restrict the sale or use of restricted fireworks in the unincorporated area of the county), be adopted before certain dates, including June 1 of each year for the Juneteenth fireworks season. Makes nonsubstantive changes.

SECTION 3. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2025.