The proposed bill amends the Fireworks Licensing and Safety Act to enhance the authority of municipal and county governing bodies, as well as the state fire marshal, to restrict the sale and use of fireworks during extreme or severe drought or other dangerous weather conditions. It allows local governing bodies to hold hearings to determine the necessity of such restrictions and to issue proclamations that can prohibit specific types of fireworks or limit their use in certain areas. Additionally, the state fire marshal is empowered to issue orders prohibiting the sale or use of fireworks based on similar conditions, with the ability to enforce penalties for violations of these orders.

The bill also increases criminal penalties for violations of the Fireworks Licensing and Safety Act, making it a crime to disregard an order from the state fire marshal, which may result in fines or imprisonment. It introduces civil penalties for property owners who allow fireworks use on their premises in violation of the Act or the fire marshal's orders, with escalating fines for repeated offenses. Furthermore, the bill includes appropriations for public awareness campaigns and law enforcement support to prevent illegal fireworks use, ensuring that the necessary resources are allocated to enforce these new regulations effectively.

Statutes affected:
introduced version: 60-2C-8.1, 60-2C-11