BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	H.B. 1629
89R5443 PRL-D	By: Landgraf; Cortez (Zaffirini)
	Local Government
	5/21/2025
	Engrossed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

Under current state law, a retail fireworks permit holder may sell fireworks to the public around the time of the Cinco de Mayo holiday only if the fireworks are sold within 100 miles of the Texas-Mexico border and only in counties in which the commissioners court has approved the sale of fireworks. The bill author has informed the committee that because Ector County falls outside of this distance threshold, the county commissioners court currently does not have the option to approve the sale of fireworks for the holiday. H.B. 1629 seeks to address this issue and give Ector County that option by extending from 100 miles to 150 miles the distance from the Texas-Mexico border within which a retail fireworks permit holder may sell fireworks to the public around the time of the Cinco de Mayo holiday in a county in which the county commissioners court approves the sale.

H.B. 1629 amends current law relating to fireworks sales to the public by retail fireworks permit holders in certain counties.

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, to provide that a retail fireworks permit holder, except as provided by Subsection (h) (relating to providing that the commissioners court of a county is authorized to approve retail fireworks sales in that county only during certain periods), is authorized to sell fireworks only to the public, and only during periods beginning on certain dates, including May 1 and ending at midnight on May 5 if the fireworks are sold at a location that is not more than 150 miles, rather than 100 miles, from the Texas-Mexico border and that is in a county in which the commissioners court of the county has approved the sale of fireworks during the period.

SECTION 2. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2025.