BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 2192

By: Lopez, Janie

Intergovernmental Affairs

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Current statute subjects the sale of fireworks during certain holiday seasons to limitations based on state geographic region or approval by the commissioners court of a county. The bill author has informed the committee that this overregulation can strain the financial viability of fireworks dealers while limiting the ability of celebrants of specific holidays to purchase fireworks, based arbitrarily on where these businesses and individuals reside. H.B. 2192 seeks to remove the current statutory limitations on the sale of fireworks during presently approved holiday seasons, ensuring that all Texans, no matter where in the state they live, are able to celebrate their culture and holidays unencumbered by local regulations.

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. 2192 amends the Occupations Code to remove as a restriction on the authority of a retail fireworks permit holder to sell fireworks to the public during any of the following periods that the county commissioners court by order allows such sale in the county:

· the period beginning February 25 and ending at midnight on March 2;

· the period beginning April 16 and ending at midnight on April 21;

· the period beginning the Wednesday before the last Monday in May and ending at midnight on the last Monday in May; and

· the period beginning five days before the first day of Diwali and ending at midnight on the last day of Diwali.

The bill removes as a restriction on the authority of a retail fireworks permit holder to sell fireworks to the public during the period beginning May 1 and ending at midnight on May 5 that the fireworks are sold at a location that is not more than 100 miles from the Texas-Mexico border and that is in a county in which the commissioners court has approved the sale of fireworks during the period.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2025.