Texas § OC.2154.202 - RETAIL FIREWORKS PERMIT

§ OC.2154.202. RETAIL FIREWORKS PERMIT

RETAIL FIREWORKS PERMIT. (a) A person selling fireworks directly to the public must annually obtain a nonrenewable retail fireworks permit for each retail location. (b) The commissioner shall set and collect a retail fireworks permit fee in an amount not to exceed $20. (c) The commissioner shall provide for the sale of a retail fireworks permit through an Internet website. A person may purchase a permit on the website. The Texas Department of Insurance shall post a link to the website on the department's Internet website. (d) Repealed by Acts 2023, 88th Leg., R.S., Ch. 832 (H.B. 2259 ), Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2023. (e) A retail fireworks permit expires on January 31 each year and is not renewable. (f) Repealed by Acts 2023, 88th Leg., R.S., Ch. 832 (H.B. 2259 ), Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2023. Text of subsection as amended by Acts 2025, 89th Leg., R.S., Ch. 169 (H.B. 554 ), Sec. 1 (g) Except as provided by Subsection (h), a retail fireworks permit holder may sell fireworks only to the public, and only during periods: (1) beginning June 14 and ending at midnight on June 19 in a county in which the commissioners court of the county has approved the sale of fireworks during the period; (2) beginning June 24 and ending at midnight on July 4; (3) beginning December 20 and ending at midnight on January 1 of the following year; and (4) beginning May 1 and ending at midnight on May 5 if the fireworks are sold at a location that is not more than 150 miles from the Texas-Mexico border and that is in a county in which the commissioners court of the county has approved the sale of fireworks during the period. Text of subsection as amended by Acts 2025, 89th Leg., R.S., Ch. 673 (H.B. 5084 ), Sec. 1 (g) Except as provided by Subsection (h), a retail fireworks permit holder may sell fireworks only to the public, and only during periods: (1) beginning June 24 and ending at midnight on July 4; (2) beginning December 20 and ending at midnight on January 1 of the following year; (3) beginning May 1 and ending at midnight on May 5 if the fireworks are sold at a location that is not more than 150 miles from the Texas-Mexico border and that is in a county in which the commissioners court of the county has approved the sale of fireworks during the period; and (4) beginning five days before Lunar New Year and ending at midnight on Lunar New Year in a county in which the commissioners court of the county has approved the sale of fireworks during the period. (g-1) Notwithstanding Subsection (g), a retail fireworks permit holder may sell fireworks only to the public during the period beginning at 12:01 a.m. on July 5, 2026, and ending at 11:59 p.m. on July 5, 2026. This subsection expires September 1, 2026. (h) In addition to the periods during which the sale of fireworks is authorized under Subsection (g), the commissioners court of a county by order may allow a retail fireworks permit holder to sell fireworks in that county only to the public and only during one or more of the following periods: (1) beginning February 25 and ending at midnight on March 2; (2) beginning April 16 and ending at midnight on April 21; (3) beginning the Wednesday before the last Monday in May and ending at midnight on the last Monday in May; and (4) beginning five days before the first day of Diwali and ending at midnight on the last day of Diwali. Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 388, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1999. Amended by: Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1179 (H.B. 539 ), Sec. 3, eff. June 15, 2007. Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 710 (H.B. 1150 ), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2015. Acts 2023, 88th Leg., R.S., Ch. 475 (H.B. 608 ), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2023. Acts 2023, 88th Leg., R.S., Ch. 832 (H.B. 2259 ), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2023. Acts 2023, 88th Leg., R.S., Ch. 832 (H.B. 2259 ), Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2023. Acts 2025, 89th Leg., R.S., Ch. 145 (S.B. 996 ), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2025. Acts 2025, 89th Leg., R.S., Ch. 169 (H.B. 554 ), Sec. 1, eff. May 26, 2025. Acts 2025, 89th Leg., R.S., Ch. 673 (H.B. 5084 ), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2025. Acts 2025, 89th Leg., R.S., Ch. 728 (H.B. 1629 ), Sec. 1, eff. June 20, 2025.