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.