BILL ANALYSIS

S.B. 2183

By: Hinojosa, Adam

Intergovernmental Affairs

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Under current law, statewide fireworks sales are allowed for Independence Day and New Year's Eve, with additional sales allowed near the Texas-Mexico border for Cinco de Mayo if approved by the applicable county. Counties may allow firework sales for Texas Independence Day, San Jacinto Day, Memorial Day, and Diwali. S.B. 2183 seeks to standardize these periods during which fireworks may be sold to ensure clarity, fairness, and uniformity across all counties in Texas by removing the local restrictions on the periods.

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

S.B. 2183 amends the Occupations Code to remove the restriction on the authority of a retail fireworks permit holder to sell fireworks in a county to the public during the following periods that the commissioners court of the county by order allows such sale:

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

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

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

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

The bill removes the 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 whose commissioners court has approved the sale of fireworks during the period.

S.B. 2183 repeals Section 2154.202(h), Occupations Code.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2025.