SENATE BILL 196
56th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2023
INTRODUCED BY
Pete Campos
AN ACT
RELATING TO FIREWORKS; AMENDING THE FIREWORKS LICENSING AND SAFETY ACT TO ALLOW THE GOVERNOR, OR IN CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES A MAYOR OR BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, TO TEMPORARILY BAN THE SALE OR USE OF FIREWORKS WHEN THE ENERGY RELEASE COMPONENT IS AT OR ABOVE THE NINETIETH PERCENTILE; DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO:
SECTION 1. Section 60-2C-2 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1989, Chapter 346, Section 2, as amended) is amended to read:
"60-2C-2. DEFINITIONS.--As used in the Fireworks Licensing and Safety Act:
A. "aerial shell" means a cylindrical or spherical cartridge containing a lift charge, burst charge and effect composition. Upon firing from a reloadable tube, the lift charge is consumed and the cartridge is expelled into the air;
B. "aerial shell kit-reloadable tube" means a package or kit containing a cardboard, high-density polyethylene or equivalent launching tube and not more than twelve small aerial shells. Each aerial shell is limited to a maximum of sixty grams of total chemical composition, including lift charges, and the maximum diameter of each shell shall not exceed one and three-fourths inches;
C. "bosque" means a cottonwood corridor adjacent to a river;
D. "chaser" means a paper or cardboard tube venting out the fuse end of the tube that contains no more than twenty grams of chemical composition and travels along the ground, often producing a whistling effect or other noise; an explosive composition not to exceed fifty milligrams may be included to produce a report;
E. "chemical composition" includes all pyrotechnic and explosive composition contained in a fireworks device, but does not include inert materials such as clay used for plugs or organic matter such as rice hulls used for density control;
F. "cone fountain" means a cardboard or heavy paper cone containing no more than fifty grams of pyrotechnic composition that has the same effect as a cylindrical fountain. When more than one cone is mounted on a common base, total pyrotechnic composition shall not exceed two hundred grams;
G. "crackling device" means a sphere or paper tube that contains no more than twenty grams of pyrotechnic composition that produces a flash of light and a mild, audible crackling effect upon ignition, which effect is not considered to be an explosion. Crackling devices are not subject to the fifty-milligram limit of firecrackers;
H. "cylindrical fountain" means a cylindrical tube containing not more than seventy-five grams of pyrotechnic composition that produces a shower of colored sparks and sometimes a whistling effect or smoke. The device may be provided with a spike for insertion into the ground or a wood or plastic base for placing on the ground or a wood or cardboard handle to be hand held. When more than one tube is mounted on a common base, total pyrotechnic composition shall not exceed two hundred grams;
I. "display distributor" means a person, firm or corporation selling display fireworks;
J. "display fireworks" means devices primarily intended for commercial displays that are designed to produce visible or audible effects by combustion, deflagration or detonation, including salutes containing more than one hundred thirty milligrams of explosive composition; aerial shells containing more than forty grams of chemical composition exclusive of lift charge; and other exhibition display items that exceed the limits for permissible fireworks;
K. "distributor" means a person, firm or corporation selling fireworks to wholesalers and retailers for resale;
L. "energy release component" means the calculated output of the national fire danger rating system. "Energy release component" is a composite fuel moisture index related to the available fire energy in an area and reflects the contribution of all live and dead fuels to a potential fire intensity;
[L.] M. "explosive composition" means a chemical compound or mixture, the primary purpose of which is to function by explosion, producing an audible effect in a fireworks device;
[M.] N. "firecracker" means a small, paper-wrapped or cardboard tube containing no more than fifty milligrams of explosive composition that produces noise and a flash of light; provided that firecrackers used in aerial devices may contain up to one hundred thirty milligrams of explosive composition per report;
[N.] O. "fireworks" means devices intended to produce a visible or audible effect by combustion, deflagration or detonation and are categorized as "permissible fireworks" or "display fireworks", but does not include novelties or theatrical pyrotechnics articles;
[O.] P. "flitter sparkler" means a narrow paper tube attached to a stick or wire and filled with no more than five grams of pyrotechnic composition that produces color and sparks upon ignition and the paper at one end of the tube is ignited to make the device function;
[P.] Q. "ground spinner" means a small, rapidly spinning device containing no more than twenty grams of pyrotechnic composition venting out an orifice usually on the side of the tube that when ignited produces a shower of sparks and color. "Ground spinner" is similar in operation to a wheel, but is intended to be placed flat on the ground and ignited;
[Q.] R. "helicopter" or "aerial spinner" means a tube containing no more than twenty grams of chemical composition with a propeller or blade attached that spins rapidly as it rises into the air with a visible or audible effect sometimes produced at or near the height of flight;
[R.] S. "illuminating torch" means a cylindrical tube containing no more than one hundred grams of pyrotechnic composition that produces a colored flame upon ignition and may be spiked, based or hand held. When more than one tube is mounted on a common base, total pyrotechnic composition shall not exceed two hundred grams;
[S.] T. "manufacturer" means a person, firm or corporation engaged in the manufacture of fireworks;
[T.] U. "mine" or "shell" means a heavy cardboard or paper tube usually attached to a wooden or plastic base and containing no more than sixty grams of total chemical composition, including lift charges, per tube that individually expels pellets of pressed pyrotechnic composition that burn with bright color in a star effect, or other devices propelled into the air, and that contains components producing reports containing a maximum one hundred thirty milligrams of explosive composition per report. A mine may contain more than one tube, but the tubes must fire in sequence upon ignition of one external fuse, must be a dense-packed collection of mine or shell tubes and the total chemical composition, including lift charges, shall not exceed two hundred grams;
[U.] V. "missile-type rocket" means a device similar to a stick-type rocket in size, composition and effect that uses fins rather than a stick for guidance and stability and that contains no more than twenty grams of chemical composition;
[V.] W. "multiple tube devices" means a device that contains more than one cardboard tube and the ignition of one external fuse that causes all of the tubes to function in sequence. The tubes are individually attached to a wood or plastic base or are dense-packed and are held together by glue, wire, string or other means that securely hold the tubes together during operation. A maximum total weight of five hundred grams of pyrotechnic composition shall be permitted; provided that the tubes are securely attached to a wood or plastic base and are separated from each other on the base by a distance of at least one-half inch. The connecting fuses on multiple tube devices shall be fused in sequence so that the tubes fire sequentially rather than all at once;
[W.] X. "novelties" means devices containing small amounts of pyrotechnic or explosive composition that produce limited visible or audible effects, including party poppers, snappers, toy smoke devices, snakes, glowworms, sparklers or toy caps, and devices intended to produce unique visual or audible effects that contain sixteen milligrams or less of explosive composition and limited amounts of other pyrotechnic composition, including cigarette loads, trick matches, explosive auto alarms and other trick noisemakers;
[X.] Y. "permissible fireworks" or "consumer fireworks" means fireworks legal for sale to and use in New Mexico by the general public that comply with the latest construction, performance, composition and labeling requirements established by the United States consumer product safety commission and the United States department of transportation;
[Y.] Z. "pyrotechnic composition" means a chemical mixture that on burning and without explosion produces visible or brilliant displays or bright lights or whistles or motion;
[Z.] AA. "retailer" means a person, firm or corporation purchasing fireworks for resale to consumers;
[AA.] BB. "roman candle" means a heavy paper or cardboard tube containing no more than twenty grams of chemical composition that individually expels pellets of pressed pyrotechnic composition that burn with bright color in a star effect;
[BB.] CC. "specialty retailer" means a person, firm or corporation purchasing permissible fireworks for year-round resale in permanent retail stores whose primary business is tourism;
[CC.] DD. "stick-type rocket" means a cylindrical tube containing no more than twenty grams of chemical composition with a wooden stick attached for guidance and stability that rises into the air upon ignition and produces a burst of color or sound at or near the height of flight;
[DD.] EE. "theatrical pyrotechnics articles" means a pyrotechnic device for professional use in the entertainment industry similar to permissible fireworks or consumer fireworks in chemical composition and construction but not intended and labeled for consumer use;
[EE.] FF. "toy smoke device" means a small plastic or paper item containing no more than one hundred grams of pyrotechnic composition that produces white or colored smoke as the primary effect;
[FF.] GG. "wheel" means a pyrotechnic device that is made to attach to a post or other surface and that revolves, producing a shower of color and sparks and sometimes a whistling effect, and that may have one or more drivers, each of which contains no more than sixty grams of pyrotechnic composition and the total wheel contains no more than two hundred grams total pyrotechnic composition;
[GG.] HH. "wholesaler" means a person, firm or corporation purchasing fireworks for resale to retailers; and
[HH.] II. "wildlands" means lands owned by the governing body of a county or municipality that are designated for public recreational purposes and that are covered wholly or in part by timber, brush or native grass."
SECTION 2. Section 60-2C-3 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1989, Chapter 346, Section 3, as amended) is amended to read:
"60-2C-3. LICENSE OR PERMIT REQUIRED FOR SALE OF FIREWORKS--ADMINISTRATION--PERMITS AND LICENSES.--
A. No person may sell, hold for sale, import, distribute or offer for sale, as manufacturer, distributor, wholesaler or retailer, any fireworks in this state unless [such] the person has first obtained the appropriate license or permit.
B. The state fire marshal shall enforce the Fireworks Licensing and Safety Act. All license applications shall be submitted to the office of the state fire marshal. All retailers shall be required to purchase a retail fireworks permit for each retail location. The retail permit may be purchased from [any] a licensed manufacturer, distributor or wholesaler or from the state fire marshal's office. Retail permits may be purchased at any time by the licensed manufacturer, distributor or wholesaler in books of twenty permits per book from the state fire marshal. Permits shall be numbered, and it [shall be] is the responsibility of the licensed manufacturer, distributor or wholesaler to keep records of the purchases of these permits and to submit these records to the state fire marshal semiannually on January 31 and July 31 of each year. Each semiannual report is to cover the preceding six-month period. Retail permits that are unsold may be exchanged for new permits.
C. All license applications shall require the applicant to swear in writing not to sell or use fireworks if the governor or a municipality or county issues a proclamation temporarily banning the sale or use of fireworks pursuant to Section 60-2C-8.1 NMSA 1978. All permit sales shall require the buyer to swear in writing not to sell or use fireworks if the governor or a municipality or county issues a proclamation temporarily banning the sale or use of fireworks pursuant to Section 60-2C-8.1 NMSA 1978.
[C.] D. The state fire marshal shall appoint the deputies and employees required to carry out the provisions of the Fireworks Licensing and Safety Act. The state fire marshal may also appoint [any] a commissioned law enforcement officer or duly appointed fire chief or [his] the law enforcement officer's or fire chief's designee with approval from the local governing body required to carry out the provisions of that act.
[D.] E. The state fire [board] marshal shall formulate, adopt, promulgate and amend or revise rules and regulations for the safe handling of fireworks."
SECTION 3. Section 60-2C-8 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1989, Chapter 346, Section 8, as amended) is amended to read:
"60-2C-8. RETAIL SALES OR STORAGE OF FIREWORKS--REGULATED ACTIVITIES.--
A. Fireworks may not be sold at retail without a retail permit. The permit shall be at the location where the retail sale takes place.
B. All places where fireworks are stored, sold or displayed shall be in compliance with the code of safety standards published by the national fire protection association for the manufacture, transportation, storage and retail sales of fireworks and pyrotechnics articles.
C. It is unlawful to offer for sale or to sell fireworks to children under the age of sixteen years or to an intoxicated person.
D. At all places where fireworks are stored, sold or displayed, the words "NO SMOKING" shall be posted in letters at least four inches in height. Smoking, open flames and any ignition source are prohibited within twenty-five feet of fireworks stock.
E. Fireworks shall not be stored, kept, sold or discharged within fifty feet of a gasoline pump or gasoline bulk station or a building in which gasoline or volatile liquids are sold in quantities in excess of one gallon, except in stores where cleaners, paints and oils are handled in sealed containers only.
F. All fireworks permittees and licensees shall keep and maintain upon the premises a fire extinguisher bearing an underwriters laboratories incorporated rated capacity of at least five-pound ABC per five hundred square feet of space used for fireworks sales or storage.
G. Sales clerks and ancillary personnel employed or volunteering at temporary retail locations where fireworks are sold shall be at least sixteen years of age. A sales clerk shall be on duty to serve consumers at the time of purchase or delivery. Permissible fireworks may be offered for sale only at state-permitted or state-licensed retail locations.
H. Fireworks shall not be discharged within one hundred fifty feet of a fireworks retail sales location.
I. Fireworks shall not be sold or used on state [forest land, wildlands or a bosque] -owned or -managed lands.
J. A person shall not ignite fireworks within a motor vehicle or throw fireworks from a motor vehicle, nor shall a person place or throw ignited fireworks into or at a motor vehicle or at or near a person or group of people.
K. Fireworks devices that are readily accessible to handling by consumers or purchasers in a retail sales location shall have their exposed fuses protected in a manner to protect against accidental ignition of an item by a spark, cigarette ash or other ignition source. If the fuse is a thread-wrapped safety fuse that has been coated with a nonflammable coating, only the outside end of the safety fuse shall be covered. If the fuse is not a safety fuse, the entire fuse shall be covered.
L. Permissible fireworks may be sold at retail between June 20 and July 6 of each year, six days preceding and including new year's day, three days preceding and including Chinese new year, the sixteenth of September and cinco de Mayo of each year, except that permissible fireworks may be sold all year in permanent retail stores whose primary business is tourism."
SECTION 4. Section 60-2C-8.1 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1997, Chapter 17, Section 9, as amended) is repealed and a new Section 60-2C-8.1 NMSA 1978 is enacted to read:
"60-2C-8.1. [NEW MATERIAL] EXTREME OR SEVERE DROUGHT CONDITIONS--RESTRICTED SALE AND USE.--
A. The governor may, via a proclamation, temporarily ban or restrict the sale or use of fireworks in a county if the energy release component is at or above the ninetieth percentile in the county.
B. A proclamation issued pursuant to Subsection A of this section shall be effective for thirty days, and the governor may issue succeeding proclamations if drought conditions warrant. The proclamation shall explain restrictions on the sale or use of fireworks and permitted sales or uses of fireworks, if any. The governor may modify or rescind a proclamation within its thirty-day period if the energy release component is less than the ninetieth percentile in those drought-affected counties.
C. A municipality or county may in writing petition the governor to issue a proclamation pursuant to Subsection A of this section if the energy release component is at or above the ninetieth percentile in the municipality or county. If the governor fails to take any action after seventy-two hours from receipt of the petition, the mayor of a municipality or the board of county commissioners of a county may exercise the same authority as found in Subsection A of this section. A proclamation shall be effective for thirty days, and the municipality or county may issue succeeding proclamations if drought conditions warrant. The proclamation shall explain restrictions on the sale or use of fireworks and permitted sales or uses of fireworks, if any. A mayor or board of county commissioners may modify or rescind a proclamation within its thirty-day period if the energy release component is less than the ninetieth percentile in the municipality or county."
SECTION 5. EMERGENCY.--It is necessary for the public peace, health and safety that this act take effect immediately.
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