HB355: relative to the permissible fireworks review committee, the fireworks license fee, and the authority of the permissible fireworks inspector.

HB 355-FN - AS INTRODUCED

2003 SESSION

03-0760

05/09

HOUSE BILL HB 355-FN

AN ACT relative to the permissible fireworks review committee, the fireworks license fee, and the authority of the permissible fireworks inspector.

SPONSORS: Rep. Hunter, Hills 48; Rep. Welch, Rock 79

COMMITTEE: Criminal Justice and Public Safety

ANALYSIS

This bill changes the meeting requirements of the permissible fireworks review committee, reduces the fireworks license fee, and prohibits the permissible fireworks inspector from issuing citations.

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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.

Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]

Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

03-0760

05/09

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Three

AN ACT relative to the permissible fireworks review committee, the fireworks license fee, and the authority of the permissible fireworks inspector.

Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:

1 Permissible Fireworks Review Committee; Chairman. Amend RSA 160-C:13, I to read as follows:

I. There is hereby established a permissible fireworks review committee. The composition of this committee shall be as follows: one senator, and an alternate who shall also be a senator, appointed by the senate president; 2 representatives, one of whom shall be a member of the house committee having jurisdiction over public safety, appointed by the speaker of the house; the director of the division of state police, or designee; the state fire marshal, or designee; 2 members representing the permissible fireworks industry, who shall be associated with the retailing of permissible fireworks, appointed by the governor; and 2 members, one of whom shall be an alternate, representing the New Hampshire Association of Fire Chiefs, appointed by the governor. No vote of the committee shall take place unless 5 members of the committee are present. The term of office of each member appointed by the governor shall be 2 years and until a successor is appointed and qualified. The other members of the committee shall serve terms coterminous with their terms in office. Vacancies shall be filled in the same manner for unexpired terms. Members shall serve without compensation, except that the legislative members shall receive mileage at the legislative rate. [The committee shall elect a chairperson annually.] The speaker of the house of representatives shall appoint a chairperson from the house members.

2 Permissible Fireworks Review Committee; Meetings. Amend RSA 160-C:13, II to read as follows:

II. The committee shall meet at least [once per calendar year, prior to October 1] 60 days prior to the September test shoot to ensure that test shoot guidelines are finalized, safety preparations are complete, and issues relative to the division of labor are addressed. In addition, the committee shall meet at the request of 3 or more members of the committee. Committee meetings shall be conducted pursuant to Robert's Rules of Order.

3 Permissible Fireworks; License Fee Amended. Amend RSA 160-C:3, VII to read as follows:

VII. The fee for a license for each location shall be [$1,500] $500 per year, payable annually to the department of safety for deposit into the general fund.

4 Permissible Fireworks Inspector; No Authority to Issue Citations. Amend the introductory paragraph of RSA 160-C:17 to read as follows:

160-C:17 Permissible Fireworks Inspector. There is hereby established in the office of the state fire marshal the seasonal position of permissible fireworks inspector. The permissible fireworks inspector shall not issue citations but shall:

5 Effective Date.

I. Section 3 of this act shall take effect July 1, 2004.

II. The remainder of this act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.

LBAO

03-0760

1/16/03

HB 355-FN - FISCAL NOTE

AN ACT relative to the permissible fireworks committee, the fireworks license fee, and the authority of the permissible fireworks inspector.

FISCAL IMPACT:

The Department of Safety has determined this bill will decrease state restricted revenue by $24,000 in FY 2005 and each year thereafter. There will be no fiscal impact on county and local revenue or state, county and local expenditures.

METHODOLOGY:

The Department stated this bill reduces the fireworks license fee from $1,500 per year to $500 per year. In FY 2002 there were 24 licensees that paid $1,500 each for a total of $36,000. Using 24 licensees as a basis for all future years, the Department estimates that beginning in FY 2005 it will receive $24,000 less in fireworks license fee revenue.