FIRE PROTECT/FIRE MARSHAL: Provides relative to fireworks

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2026 Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO. 956
BY REPRESENTATIVE FONTENOT
FIRE PROTECT/FIRE MARSHAL: Provides relative to fireworks
1 AN ACT
2 To amend and reenact R.S. 51:650(23), (24), (26), and (28), 651.1(B), 655(C)(3) and (8),
3 (E), (G), and (H)(1), and 656(C)(1)(f) and (E), to enact R.S. 51:656(F), and to repeal
4 R.S. 51:650(6) and (27) and 655(D), relative to fireworks; to provide for definitions;
5 to classify which items may be sold to the public; to provide for licensing and
6 permitting requirements; to provide for fees; and to provide for related matters.
7 Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:
8 Section 1. R.S. 51:650(23), (24), (26), and (28), 651.1(B), 655(C)(3) and (8), (E),
9 (G), and (H)(1), and 656(C)(1)(f) and (E) are hereby amended and reenacted and R.S.
10 51:656(F) is hereby enacted to read as follows:
11 §650. Definitions
12 As used in this Part, the following terms have the meanings ascribed to them
13 in this Section unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
14 * * *
15 (23) "Proximate display" includes all indoor displays and means a
16 pyrotechnic public display involving the ignition of Fireworks 1.3G or Fireworks
17 1.4G for public viewing, where the audience is closer to the pyrotechnic devices than
18 permitted by NFPA 1123 Code of Fireworks Display. The term does not include the
19 use of Fireworks 1.4G by a retail consumer for private or personal viewing. any
20 indoor display or a pyrotechnic public display for public viewing where the audience
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1 is closer to the pyrotechnic devices than permitted by NFPA 1123 and governed by
2 NFPA 1126 and NFPA 1124.
3 (24) "Public display" means the display of 1.4S, 1.4G, or 1.3G fireworks,
4 including fireworks not listed as permissible in R.S. 51:651, used for any purpose
5 relating to the amusement of the general public use of 1.4S, 1.4G, or 1.3G fireworks
6 for the public's amusement, governed by NFPA 1123 and NFPA 1124 requirements.
7 "Public display" does not include a retail consumer's use of 1.4G fireworks for
8 private viewing.
9 * * *
10 (26) "Pyrotechnic operator" means an individual skilled through experience
11 and examination and licensed by the office of state fire marshal to safely assemble,
12 discharge, and supervise public displays of 1.3G or 1.4G fireworks. who, by
13 experience and examination, has demonstrated the necessary skill and ability for
14 safely assembling, discharging, and supervising public displays of Fireworks 1.3G.
15 (28) "Pyrotechnic special effects operator" means an individual who, by
16 experience and examination, has demonstrated the necessary skill and ability for
17 safely assembling, discharging, and supervising proximate displays of Fireworks
18 1.3G, 1.4G, and 1.4S. skilled through experience and examination and licensed by
19 the office of state fire marshal to safely assemble, discharge, and supervise
20 proximate displays of 1.3G or 1.4G fireworks.
21 * * *
22 §651.1. Possession, sale, or use of certain fireworks prohibited; penalties
23 * * *
24 B. It is unlawful for any person in the state of Louisiana to possess, sell, or
25 use for any purpose whatsoever any of the following items of commercial fireworks:
26 cherry bombs, tubular salutes, two-inch American-made salutes, firecrackers with
27 casings the external dimensions of which exceed one and one-half inches in length
28 or one-quarter of an inch in diameter, repeating bombs, aerial bombs, torpedoes
29 which exceed three-eighths of an inch in diameter, Roman candles larger than ten
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1 ball, and sky rockets larger than six ounces. It is also unlawful for any person to ship
2 into the state of Louisiana any of the above mentioned items for any purpose
3 whatsoever. Only items classified as 1.4G fireworks in compliance with APA
4 Standard 87-1A may be sold by a properly licensed retailer to the public.
5 * * *
6 §655. Public displays; proximate displays; Class C public displays; licenses;
7 permits; fees; adoption of rules and regulations
8 * * *
9 C.
10 * * *
11 (3) A licensee whose license has been expired for two years or more and who
12 makes application for a new license shall retake and pass the written examination to
13 receive a renewed new license.
14 * * *
15 (8) The cost of the pyrotechnic special effects operator license is fifty two
16 hundred dollars for a new license and twenty-five one hundred dollars for renewals.
17 E.(1) A person or firm shall not make or perform a public display, proximate
18 display, or Class C public display, as defined in this Part, without first obtaining a
19 permit from the office of state fire marshal.
20 (2) (1) A person or firm desiring applying for a permit for a public display
21 or proximate display may either apply to the office of state fire marshal or to a
22 certified local authority certified under in accordance with the provisions of R.S.
23 40:1563, which application shall be received by either the state fire marshal or the
24 certified local authority at least five days prior to the event. The application shall
25 contain all of the following information:
26 (a) The date, time, and place of the public display or proximate display
27 including the length of time of the display.
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1 (b) All fire prevention plans and provisions that will be in force and all fire
2 prevention personnel and equipment available to ensure the safety of the public
3 attending the display.
4 (c) A copy of the permit issued by the office of state fire marshal to the
5 distributor who will be supplying or conducting the public display or proximate
6 display to assure the state fire marshal or his certified local authority that the
7 fireworks and the actual presentation and conduct of the public display or proximate
8 display will not endanger the public safety.
9 (d) A current certificate of insurance issued to the office of state fire marshal
10 showing general liability coverage in the amount of one million dollars.
11 (3) A public entity desiring a permit for a Class C public display may apply
12 to the office of state fire marshal, which application shall be received by the state fire
13 marshal at least five days prior to the event. The application shall contain the
14 following information:
15 (a) The date, time, and place of the Class C public display including the
16 length of time of the display.
17 (b) All plans and provisions that will be in force to ensure the safety of the
18 public attending the public display.
19 (c) A copy of the training certification issued by the office of state fire
20 marshal to the person or firm who will be conducting the Class C public display to
21 assure the state fire marshal that the fireworks and the actual presentation and
22 conduct of the Class C public display will not endanger the public safety.
23 (4) (2) The fee for application for a permit for a public display or proximate
24 display is one two hundred dollars. The fee for renewal of such permit shall be one
25 hundred dollars. All fees and shall be used to offset the cost of processing the permit
26 request and cover the expense of any necessary onsite inspections. The fee for the
27 application for a permit for a Class C public display is twenty-five dollars and shall
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1 be used to offset the cost of processing the permit request and any necessary onsite
2 inspections.
3 * * *
4 G. The state fire marshal may promulgate and adopt rules and regulations in
5 accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act to ensure that the supplier of the
6 fireworks and the holder of a public display, or proximate display, or Class C public
7 display permit will adequately protect the public safety.
8 H.(1) Fireworks that are to be used for public display or proximate display
9 only shall at all times be kept in the possession of those responsible and be stored in
10 an appropriate storage in accordance with the regulations of NFPA 1124 as published
11 by the National Fire Protection Association, or any subsequent amended editions
12 thereof that are adopted by the state fire marshal. Fireworks that are to be used for
13 public display shall be confined to that use only.
14 * * *
15 §656. Permit to sell fireworks; application; fees; permit numbers
16 * * *
17 C.(1) The applicant shall pay a permit fee for each type of business
18 conducted and for each location at which the business is conducted, according to the
19 following schedule:
20 (a) Manufacturer $ 10,000.00
21 (b) Assembler $ 1,000.00
22 (c) Distributor $ 2,000.00
23 (d) Importer $ 500.00
24 (e) Jobber $ 250.00
25 (f) Retailer $ 100.00 250.00
26 * * *
27 E. It is unlawful for any person to purchase fireworks from a wholesaler
28 without first obtaining a valid retail permit issued by the state fire marshal.
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1 F. It is unlawful for a jobber or retailer who holds a permit issued pursuant
2 to the provisions of this Part to purchase fireworks from a distributor domiciled
3 outside the state of Louisiana unless that distributor can show proof that he holds a
4 valid permit issued as provided in this Part to perform the functions of a distributor
5 and importer. If the distributor does not hold a valid permit, the jobber or retailer is
6 then liable for the permit and shall immediately purchase a permit from the office of
7 state fire marshal.
8 Section 2. R.S. 51:650(6) and (27) and 655(D) are hereby repealed in their entirety.
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
HB 956 Reengrossed 2026 Regular Session Fontenot
Abstract: Provides relative to fireworks.
Present law provides for definitions.
Proposed law amends definitions of "proximate display", "public display", "pyrotechnic
operator", and "pyrotechnic special effects operator" and repeals definitions of "Class C
public display" and "pyrotechnic operator".
Present law prohibits certain types of fireworks from being possessed, used, or sold in this
state.
Proposed law provides that only items classified as 1.4G fireworks in compliance with APA
Standard 87-1A may be sold by a properly licensed retailer to the public.
Present law provides that a licensee whose license has expired for 2 years or more and
makes application for a new license shall retake and pass the written examination to receive
a renewed license.
Proposed law provides that a licensee in that circumstance shall receive a new license.
Present law provides a fee for a pyrotechnic special effects operator license of $50 for a new
license and $25 for a license renewal.
Proposed law increases the fees to $200 for a new license and $100 for a renewal.
Present law provides for requirements to make a Class C public display and for licensing to
make such a display.
Proposed law repeals the requirements for Class C public displays and licensing.
Present law provides requirements for a permit application for a Class C display, public
display, or proximate display of fireworks.
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Proposed law removes requirements for Class C public displays, and proposed law adds the
requirement for public displays or proximate displays to have a current certificate of
insurance issued to the state fire marshal showing general liability coverage in the amount
of one million dollars.
Present law provides an application fee for a public display or proximate display permit of
$100, and a $25 fee for a Class C public display permit.
Proposed law provides for a $200 fee for public display or proximate display, and a $100 fee
for renewal of that permit. Proposed law removes the fee for a Class C public display.
Present law provides that the state fire marshal may promulgate rules and regulations
regarding public displays, proximate displays, and Class C displays.
Proposed law removes the reference to Class C displays.
Present law provides for a retailer a $100 fee for a permit to sell fireworks.
Proposed law increases the fee to $250.
Proposed law makes it unlawful for any person to purchase fireworks from a wholesaler
without first obtaining a valid retail permit issued by the state fire marshal.
(Amends R.S. 51:650(23), (24), (26), and (28), 651.1(B), 655(C)(3) and (8), (E), (G), and
(H)(1), and 656(C)(1)(f) and (E); Adds R.S. 51:656(F); Repeals R.S. 51:650(6) and (27) and
655(D))
Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
The Committee Amendments Proposed by House Committee on Commerce to the
original bill:
1. Make technical changes.
The House Floor Amendments to the engrossed bill:
1. Make technical changes.
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