HBA-MSH H.B. 1303 77(R) BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 1303 By: Gray County Affairs 4/8/2001 Introduced BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Under current law, counties are authorized to regulate fireworks in unincorporated areas only during drought conditions. Fireworks often pose a fire and safety hazard, especially when used in areas difficult to reach by emergency vehicles such as beaches. House Bill 1303 authorizes the commissioners court of a county that borders the Gulf of Mexico to regulate aerial fireworks on a beach. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution. ANALYSIS House Bill 1303 amends the Natural Resources Code to authorize the commissioners court of a county that borders the Gulf of Mexico to prohibit by order the use or possession of aerial fireworks on a beach in the unincorporated area of the county. EFFECTIVE DATE On passage, or if the Act does not receive the necessary vote, the Act takes effect September 1, 2001.