HBA-TYH H.B. 947 76(R) BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 947 By: Palmer Criminal Jurisprudence 4/5/1999 Introduced BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Fireworks violations increase during the holiday seasons, especially around the Fourth of July. Fires started from fireworks have damaged grass, dwellings, barns, and vehicles. State fireworks regulations classify all fireworks violations as Class B misdemeanors which require arrest and filing of cases through the district attorney's (DA) office, placing a burden on fire departments and the DA's office. H.B. 947 classifies the most common fireworks offenses as Class C misdemeanors, except where property damage exceeds $200. This allows authorities to write citations at the scene instead of having to make arrests and file a case with the DA's office. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Section 19(b), Article 5.43-4, Insurance Code, to provide that an offense under this section is a Class C, rather than Class B, misdemeanor, except that the offense is a Class B misdemeanor if it is shown on the trial of the offense that the offense resulted in bodily injury or in property damage of $200 or more. SECTION 2. Makes application of this Act prospective. SECTION 3. Emergency clause. Effective date: upon passage.