HB 599 by Hughes - Relating to the sale of fireworks on and before Texas Independence Day.  The legislation authorizes a new fireworks selling season for Texas Independence Day.  04/20/2009 Committee action pending in House County Affairs.

HB 1752 by Leibowitz - Relating to county regulation of fireworks during severe drought conditions.  The bill expands a county’s authority to regulate fireworks during severe drought conditions; it authorizes a commissioners court to prohibit or restrict a larger array of fireworks if “severe drought conditions” (a Keetch-Byram Drought Index of 600 or greater on average in the county) are determined to exist.   04/20/2009 Committee action pending in House County Affairs.

HB 3052 by Gallego - Relating to the regulation of fireworks by counties during drought conditions; providing a criminal penalty.  The bill expands a county’s authority to regulate fireworks during drought conditions; it authorizes a commissioners court to prohibit or restrict a larger array of fireworks during drought conditions.  04/20/2009 Committee action pending in House County Affairs.

HB 4625 by Lucio III - Relating to county regulation of fireworks during drought conditions.  The bill, as filed, revises a county’s current authority to regulate fireworks under Section 352.051 of the Local Government Code, among other changes.  It requires a commissioners court to hold a hearing to determine whether extreme drought conditions that pose an exceptional fire danger exist before issuing a proclamation declaring a disaster and prohibiting the sale or use of certain fireworks; such a proclamation must be issued at least 30 days before April 25 for the Cinco de Mayo selling season, June 15 for the Fourth of July selling season, and December 15 for the December selling season.   04/20/2009 Committee action pending in House County Affairs. 

SB 1390 by Wentworth - Relating to the regulation of fireworks during a declared local state of disaster.  The legislation repeals the 60-hour limitation on county disaster declarations that restrict fireworks.  04/01/2009 Committee action pending in Senate Intergovernmental Relations. (Identical bill: HB 2857 by Miller, Doug.  04/20/2009 Committee action pending in House County Affairs.)