BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 1629

By: Landgraf

Intergovernmental Affairs

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

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.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

H.B. 1629 amends the Occupations Code to extend 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 during the period beginning May 1 and ending at midnight on May 5 in a county in which the commissioners court has approved the sale of fireworks during the period.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2025.