House Bill No. 956, introduced by Representative Fontenot, aims to amend and reenact various provisions related to fireworks in Louisiana. The bill updates definitions for terms such as "proximate display," "public display," "pyrotechnic operator," and "pyrotechnic special effects operator," while repealing the definitions of "Class C public display" and "pyrotechnic operator." It establishes that only items classified as 1.4G fireworks, compliant with APA Standard 87-1A, may be sold to the public by licensed retailers. Additionally, the bill modifies licensing requirements, including increasing fees for pyrotechnic special effects operator licenses and changing the process for license renewal.

Furthermore, the bill introduces new requirements for permits related to public and proximate displays, including the necessity for a current certificate of insurance showing general liability coverage of one million dollars. It also raises the application fee for public display or proximate display permits to $200, with a renewal fee of $100, while eliminating the fee for Class C public displays. The bill makes it unlawful for individuals to purchase fireworks from wholesalers without a valid retail permit issued by the state fire marshal, thereby tightening regulations surrounding the sale and use of fireworks in the state.

Statutes affected:
HB956 Original: 51:650(23), 51:1(B), 51:655(C)(3), 51:656(C), 51:650(6), 51:655(D)
HB956 Engrossed: 51:650(23), 51:1(B), 51:655(C)(3), 51:656(C)(1), 51:650(6), 51:655(D)
HB956 Reengrossed: 51:650(23), 51:1(B), 51:655(C)(3), 51:656(C)(1), 51:650(6), 51:655(D)