Consumer and Display Fireworks - Regulation and Tax

EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MATTER ADDED TO EXISTING LAW.
[Brackets] indicate matter deleted from existing law.
*hb1502*

HOUSE BILL 1502
E4, Q4 6lr3549
HB 1002/25 – ECM
By: Delegates Hornberger and Pruski
Introduced and read first time: February 13, 2026
Assigned to: Economic Matters

A BILL ENTITLED

AN ACT concerning 1

Consumer and Display Fireworks – Regulation and Tax 2

FOR the purpose of authorizing the sale and possession of certain consumer fireworks, 3
subject to certain requirements and restrictions; altering certain provisions to 4
establish that certain provisions authorizing the State Fire Marshal to issue a 5
certain permit relating to fireworks apply only to certain display fireworks; 6
authorizing a county to opt out of certain provisions regulating the sale a nd 7
possession of certain consumer fireworks; establishing a certain sales and use tax 8
rate for certain fireworks; requiring the revenue from a certain tax to be distributed 9
to certain funds; and generally relating to consumer and display fireworks. 10

BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 11
Article – Public Safety 12
Section 1–308, 8–102, 10–101, 10–103, 10–104, and 10–110 13
Annotated Code of Maryland 14
(2022 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) 15

BY adding to 16
Article – Public Safety 17
Section 10–102.1 and 10–114 18
Annotated Code of Maryland 19
(2022 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) 20

BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments, 21
Article – Public Safety 22
Section 10–109 and 10–111 23
Annotated Code of Maryland 24
(2022 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) 25

BY adding to 26
Article – Tax – General 27
2 HOUSE BILL 1502

Section 2–1302.6 and 11–104(m) 1
Annotated Code of Maryland 2
(2022 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) 3

SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, 4
That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: 5

Article – Public Safety 6

10–101. 7

(a) In this title the following words have the meanings indicated. 8

(b) [(1)] “1.3 G fireworks” means special fireworks: 9

(1) designed primarily to produce visible or audible effects by combustion 10
or explosion[.]; 11

[(2) “1.3 G fireworks” includes: 12

(i) toy torpedoes, railway torpedoes, firecrackers and salutes that do 13
not qualify as 1.4 G fireworks, exhibition display pieces, illuminating projectiles, incendiary 14
projectiles, and incendiary grenades; 15

(ii) smoke projectiles or bombs containing expelling charges but 16
without bursting charges; 17

(iii) flash powders in inner units not exceeding 2 ounces each, flash 18
sheets in interior packages, and flash powder or spreader cartridges containing an amount 19
not exceeding 72 grains of flash powder each; and 20

(iv) flash cartridges consisting of a paper cartridge shell, small arms 21
primer, and flash composition, not exceeding 180 grains, all assembled in one piece.] 22

(2) THAT MEET THE FEDERAL REGULATIONS FOR 1.3 G FIREWORKS; 23
AND 24

(3) THAT COMPLY WITH THE CONSTRUCTION, PERFORMANCE, 25
COMPOSITION, AND LABELING REQUIRE MENTS ADOPTED BY THE CONSUMER 26
PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION IN TITLE 16 OF THE CODE OF FEDERAL 27
REGULATIONS RELATING TO COMMERCIAL PRACTICES. 28

(c) [(1)] “1.4 G fireworks” means common fireworks: 29

(1) designed primarily to produce visible effects by combustion[.]; 30
HOUSE BILL 1502 3

[(2) “1.4 G fireworks” includes: 1

(i) small devices containing less than 2 grains of pyrotechnic 2
composition designed to produce an audible effect; 3

(ii) Roman candles, not exceeding 10 balls, that have a total 4
pyrotechnic composition not exceeding 20 grams and inside tube diameter not exceeding 5
3/8 inch; 6

(iii) sky rockets with sticks, that have a total pyrotechnic composition 7
not exceeding 20 grams and an inside tube diameter not exceeding 1/2 inch; 8

(iv) helicopter–type rockets that have a total pyrotechnic composition 9
not exceeding 20 grams and an inside tube diameter not exceeding 1/2 inch; 10

(v) wheels that have a total pyrotechnic composition not exceeding 11
60 grams for each driver unit or 240 grams for each wheel and an inside tube diameter of 12
driver units not exceeding 1/2 inch; 13

(vi) illuminating torches and colored fire in any form that have a total 14
pyrotechnic composition not exceeding 100 grams each; 15

(vii) dipped sticks that have a pyrotechnic composition containing any 16
perchlorate not exceeding 5 grams; 17

(viii) mines or shells in which the mortar is an integral part, that have 18
a total pyrotechnic composition not exceeding 40 grams; 19

(ix) firecrackers or salutes with casings that have a total pyrotechnic 20
composition not exceeding 2 grains each and external dimensions not exceeding 1 1/2 inches 21
in length or 1/4 inch in diameter; and 22

(x) novelties that consist of two or more 1.4 G fireworks.] 23

(2) THAT MEET THE FEDERAL REGULATIONS FOR 1.4 G FIREWORKS; 24
AND 25

(3) THAT COMPLY WITH THE CONSTRUCTION, PERFORMANCE, AND 26
LABELING REQUIREMENT S ADOPTED BY THE CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY 27
COMMISSION IN TITLE 16 OF THE CODE OF FEDERAL REGULATIONS RELATING TO 28
COMMERCIAL PRACTICES. 29

(D) “APA 87–1” MEANS THE AMERICAN PYROTECHNICS ASSOCIATION 30
STANDARD 87–1: “STANDARD FOR CONSTRUCTION AND APPROVAL FOR 31
TRANSPORTATION OF FIREWORKS, NOVELTIES, AND THEATRICAL 32
4 HOUSE BILL 1502

PYROTECHNICS”, 2001 EDITION, OR ANY SUBSEQUENT EDITION. 1

(E) “CONSUMER FIREWORKS ” MEANS ANY COMBUSTIBL E OR EXPLOSIVE 2
COMPOSITION OR ANY SUBSTANCE OR COMBINATION OF SUBSTANCES THAT: 3

(1) IS INTENDED TO PRODU CE VISIBLE OR AUDIBL E EFFECTS BY 4
COMBUSTION; 5

(2) IS SUITABLE FOR USE BY THE PUBLIC; 6

(3) COMPLIES WITH THE CO NSTRUCTION, PERFORMANCE, 7
COMPOSITION, AND LABELING REQUIRE MENTS ADOPTED BY THE CONSUMER 8
PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION IN TITLE 16 OF THE CODE OF FEDERAL 9
REGULATIONS RELATING TO COMMERCIAL PRACTICES; AND 10

(4) COMPLIES WITH THE PROVISIONS FOR “CONSUMER FIREWORKS” 11
AS DEFINED IN APA 87–1 OR ANY SUCCESSOR STANDARD. 12

(F) (1) “DISPLAY FIREWORKS ” MEANS LARGE FIREWORK S TO BE USED 13
SOLELY BY PROFESSIONAL PYROTECHNICIANS THAT ARE DESIGNED PRIMARILY TO 14
PRODUCE VISIBLE OR A UDIBLE EFFECTS BY CO MBUSTION, DEFLAGRATION, OR 15
DETONATION. 16

(2) “DISPLAY FIREWORKS” INCLUDES: 17

(I) SALUTES THAT CONTAIN MORE TH AN 2 GRAINS OR 130 18
MILLIGRAMS OF EXPLOSIVE MATERIALS; 19

(II) AERIAL SHELLS CONTAI NING MORE THAN 60 GRAMS OF 20
PYROTECHNIC COMPOSITIONS; AND 21

(III) OTHER DISPLAY PIECES THAT EXCEED THE LIMI TS OF 22
EXPLOSIVE MATERIALS FOR CLASSIFICATION AS CONSUMER FIREWORKS AND ARE 23
CLASSIFIED AS FIREWO RKS UN0333, UN0334, OR UN0335 UNDER 49 C.F.R. § 24
172.101, RELATING TO THE PURP OSE AND USE OF THE H AZARDOUS MATERIALS 25
TABLE. 26

[(d)] (G) “Explosive composition” means a mixture or substance that, when 27
ignited, may cause such a generation of highly heated gases that the resulting gaseous 28
pressures are capable of producing destructive effects on contiguous objects. 29

[(e)] (H) “Finishing and assembling building” means a structure in which 30
fireworks are assembled and packed but are not mixed or pressed. 31

HOUSE BILL 1502 5

[(f)] (I) (1) [“Fireworks” means combustible, implosive or explosive 1
compositions, substances, combinations of substances, or articles that are prepared to 2
produce a visible or audible effect by combustion, explo sion, implosion, deflagration, or 3
detonation. 4

(2)] “Fireworks” includes 1.3 G fireworks, 1.4 G fireworks, [firecrackers, 5
squibs, rockets, Roman candles, fire balloons, and signal lights] CONSUMER FIREWORKS, 6
AND DISPLAY FIREWORKS. 7

[(3)] (2) “Fireworks” does not include: 8

(i) toy pistols, toy canes, toy guns, or other devices that use paper 9
caps that contain 0.25 grains or less of explosive composition if the devices are constructed 10
so that a hand cannot touch the cap when the cap is in place for use; 11

(ii) toy pistol paper caps that contain less than 0.20 grains of 12
explosive composition; 13

(iii) sparklers that do not contain chlorates or perchlorates; 14

(iv) ground–based sparkling devices that are nonaerial and 15
nonexplosive, and are labeled in accordance with the requirements of the U.S. Consumer 16
Product Safety Commission; 17

(v) paper wrapped snappers that contain less than 0.03 grains of 18
explosive composition; or 19

(vi) ash–producing pellets known as “snakes” that do not contain 20
mercury and are not regulated by the U.S. Department of Transportation. 21

[(g)] (J) (1) “Fireworks plant” means land and any building on the land used 22
in connection with the manufacture, packaging, repackaging, or processing of fireworks. 23

(2) “Fireworks plant” includes a storage building used in connection with 24
plant operation. 25

[(h)] (K) “Mixing building” means a building primarily used to mix and blend 26
pyrotechnic composition other than wet sparkler mixes. 27

[(i)] (L) “Press building” means a building used pr imarily for pressing or 28
loading pyrotechnic composition into tubes or containers. 29

[(j)] (M) “Pyrotechnic composition” means a chemical mixture that on burning 30
and without explosion produces visible or brilliant displays, bright lights, or whistles. 31

[(k)] (N) “Storage building” means a structure in which finished fireworks or 32
6 HOUSE BILL 1502

fireworks in any state of processing are stored, but in which processing or manufacturing 1
is not performed. 2

10–102.1. 3

(A) EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN SUBSECTION (D) OF THIS SECTION, A PERSON 4
WHO IS AT LEAST 18 YEARS OLD AND MEETS THE REQUIREMENTS OF THIS TITLE MAY 5
PURCHASE, POSSESS, AND USE CONSUMER FIREWORKS. 6

(B) A PERSON MAY NOT INTENTIONALLY IGNITE OR DISCHARGE CONSUMER 7
FIREWORKS: 8

(1) ON PUBLIC PROPERTY O R ON PRIVATE PROPERT Y WITHOUT THE 9
EXPRESS PERMISSION OF THE OWNER; 10

(2) WITHIN, INTO, AT, OR FROM A MOTOR VEHI CLE, A WATERCRAFT, 11
AN AIRCRAFT, AN UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEM, OR A BUILDING; 12

(3) AT ANOTHER PERSON; 13

(4) WHILE THE PERSON IS UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL, A 14
CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE, OR ANOTHER DRUG; 15

(5) EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN ITEMS (6) AND (7) OF THIS SUBSECTION, 16
WITHIN 300 FEET OF A STRUCTURE; 17

(6) WITHIN 150 FEET OF AN ANIMAL HOUSING FACILITY OR A FENCED 18
AREA DESIGNED TO CONFINE LIVESTOCK THAT IS OWNED OR MANAGED BY ANOTHER 19
PERSON; OR 20

(7) BETWEEN 150 AND 300 FEET FROM AN ANIMAL HOUSING FACILITY 21
OR A FENCED AREA DES IGNED TO CONFINE LIV ESTOCK THAT IS OWNED OR 22
MANAGED BY ANOTHER PERSON, UNLESS THE PERSON IGNITING OR DISCHARGING 23
THE CONSUMER FIREWOR KS NOTIFIES THE OWNE R OR MANAGER OF THE 24
LIVESTOCK, IN WRITING , THAT THE PERSON INTE NDS TO IGNITE OR DIS CHARGE 25
CONSUMER FIREWORKS I N THAT LOCATION , AT LEAST 72 HOURS BEFORE THE 26
PERSON IGNITES OR DISCHARGES THE CONSUMER FIREWORKS. 27

(C) THIS SECTION MAY NOT BE CONSTRUED TO REGU LATE THE SALE , 28
POSSESSION, OR USE OF ANY OF THE DEVICES LISTED IN § 10–101(I)(2) OF THIS 29
SUBTITLE. 30

(D) THIS SECTION DOES NOT APPLY TO A COUNTY TH AT ADOPTS A LOCAL 31
LAW PROHIBITING THE PURCHASE, POSSESSION, AND USE OF CONSUMER 32
HOUSE BILL 1502 7

FIREWORKS IN THE COUNTY. 1

10–103. 2

(a) Subject to subsections (b) and (c) of this section, the State Fire Marshal may 3
issue a permit to authorize the discharge of DISPLAY fireworks in a place where the 4
discharge of DISPLAY fireworks is legal. 5

(b) The State Fire Marshal shall issue a permit to discharge DISPLAY fireworks 6
only if the State Fire Marshal determines that the proposed discharge of fireworks will: 7

(1) not endanger health or safety or damage property; and 8

(2) be supervised by an experienced and qualified person who has 9
previously secured written authority from the State Fire Marshal to discharge fireworks. 10

(c) A permit to discharge DISPLAY fireworks: 11

(1) does not authorize the holder of the perm it to possess or discharge 12
fireworks in violation of an ordinance or regulation of the political subdivision where the 13
fireworks are to be discharged; and 14

(2) does not relieve an applicant for a permit from any requirement to 15
obtain any additional licen se or authority from the governing body of the political 16
subdivision where the fireworks are to be discharged. 17

10–104. 18

(a) A person must have a permit to discharge DISPLAY fireworks as provided by 19
this subtitle before the person: 20

(1) discharges DISPLAY fireworks; or 21

(2) possesses DISPLAY fireworks with the intent to discharge DISPLAY 22
fireworks or to allow the discharge of DISPLAY fireworks. 23

(b) An applicant for a permit to discharge DISPLAY fireworks shall: 24

(1) apply to the State Fire Mar shal for the permit at least 10 days before 25
the date of discharge; 26

(2) pay to the State Fire Marshal a permit fee of $50; and 27

(3) post a bond with the State Fire Marshal in accordance with § 10–105 of 28
this subtitle. 29

8 HOUSE BILL 1502

(c) If the State Fire Marshal does not receive the application for a permit required 1
under subsection (b) of this section at least 10 days before the date of the discharge, the 2
State Fire Marshal shall charge the applicant a late fee of $50 in addition to all required 3
fees. 4

(d) The permit fee required under subsection (b)(2) of this section and the late fee 5
required under subsection (c) of this section do not apply to a volunteer fire department or 6
volunteer ambulance and rescue company. 7

(e) A permit to discharge DISPLAY fireworks is nontransferable. 8

10–109. 9

The State Fire Prevention Commission shall adopt regulations to carry out this 10
subtitle. 11

10–110. 12

(a) Unless the person holds a permit issued under this subtitle, a person may not: 13

(1) discharge DISPLAY fireworks; or 14

(2) possess DISPLAY fireworks: 15

(i) with intent to discharge or allow the discharge of the DISPLAY 16
fireworks in violation of this subtitle; or 17

(ii) for the purpose of disposing or selling the DISPLAY fireworks to 18
a person for use or discharge without a permit, if a permit is required by this subtitle. 19

(b) (1) Except as otherwise provided in this subtitle, a person may not sell 20
DISPLAY fireworks to another person without a permit issued under this subtitle. 21

(2) (i) A person licensed by the State Fir e Marshal under Subtitle 2 of 22
this title may sell or deliver fireworks to a bona fide distributor, jobber, or wholesaler with 23
a principal place of business in a state where the sale or possession of fireworks is allowed. 24

(ii) The State Fire Marshal may require a person who is an 25
out–of–state distributor, jobber, or wholesaler to submit a certificate issued by the person’s 26
state of operation that demonstrates authority to buy and receive fireworks. 27

10–111. 28

(a) A person who possesses or discharges fireworks in violation of this subtitle is 29
guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to a fine not exceeding $250 for each 30
offense. 31
HOUSE BILL 1502 9

(b) A person who sells fireworks in violation of this subtitle is guilty of a 1
misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to a fine not exceeding $1,000 for each offense. 2

(c) (1) At the expense of the owner, the State Fire Marshal shall seize and 3
remove all fireworks possessed or sold in violation of this subtitle. 4

(2) Fireworks described in paragraph (1) of this su bsection shall be 5
forfeited and destroyed. 6

10–114. 7

(A) EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN SUBSECTIONS (B) AND (C) OF THIS SECTION , 8
CONSUMER FIREWORKS M AY BE SOLD ONLY FROM A STAND –ALONE PERMANENT 9
STRUCTURE THAT: 10

(1) IS LICENSED BY THE STATE FIRE MARSHAL; 11

(2) HAS A STORAGE AREA THAT IS SEPARATED FROM WHOLESALE OR 12
RETAIL SALES AREAS T O WHICH A PURCHASER MAY BE ADMITTED BY 13
APPROPRIATELY RATED FIRE SEPARATION; 14

(3) IS LOCATED AT LEAST 250 FEET FROM ANY FACILI TY THAT 15
STORES, SELLS, OR DISPENSES GASOLIN E, PROPANE, OR OTHER FLAMMABLE 16
PRODUCTS; 17

(4) IS LOCATED AT LEAST 1,500 FEET FROM ANY OTHER FACILITY 18
LICENSED TO SELL CONSUMER FIREWORKS; 19

(5) HAS A MONITORED BURGLAR AND FIRE ALARM SYSTEM; AND 20

(6) CONDUCTS QUARTERLY F IRE DRILLS AND PREPL ANNING 21
MEETINGS AS REQUIRED BY THE PRIMARY FIRE DEPARTMENT IN THE JURISDICTION 22
OF THE FACILITY. 23

(B) (1) SUBJECT TO PARAGRAPH (2) OF THIS SUBSECTION A ND 24
SUBSECTION (C) OF THIS SECTION , CONSUMER FIREWORKS MAY BE SOLD FROM A 25
TEMPORARY STRUCTURE IF THE TEMPORARY STRUCTURE: 26

(I) IS LICENSED BY THE STATE FIRE MARSHAL; 27

(II) IS LOCATED AT LEAST 250 FEET FROM ANY FACILITY THAT 28
STORES, SELLS, OR DISPENSES GASOLIN E, PROPANE, OR OTHER FLAMMABLE 29
PRODUCTS; 30
10 HOUSE BILL 1502

(III) HAS AN EVACUATION PL AN POSTED IN A CONSP ICUOUS 1
LOCATION FOR A TEMPORARY STRUCTURE IN ACCORDANCE WITH NFPA 1124; 2

(IV) HAS ANY OUTDOOR STOR AGE UNIT SEPARATED F ROM THE 3
WHOLESALE OR RETAIL SALES AREA TO WHICH A PURCHASER MAY BE ADMITTED BY 4
APPROPRIATELY RATED FIRE SEPARATION; 5

(V) COMPLIES WITH NFPA 1124 AS IT RELATES T O RETAIL 6
SALES OF CONSUMER FIREWORKS IN TEMPORARY STRUCTURES; 7

(VI) IS LOCATED AT LEAST 2 MILES FROM ANY PERMA NENT 8
FACILITY LICENSED TO SELL CONSUMER FIREWORKS; 9

(VII) DOES NOT EXCEED 2,500 SQUARE FEET; 10

(VIII) IS SECURED AT ALL TI MES DURING WHICH CONSUMER 11
FIREWORKS ARE DISPLAYED WITHIN THE STRUCTURE; 12

(IX) HAS A MINIMUM OF $2,000,000 IN PUBLIC AND PRODUC T 13
LIABILITY INSURANCE; 14

(X) HAS A SALES PERIOD LIMITED TO JUNE 15 THROUGH JULY 15
8 AND DECEMBER 21 THROUGH JANUARY 2 EACH YEAR; AND 16

(XI) STORES CONSUMER FIRE WORKS NOT ON DISPLAY FOR 17
RETAIL SALE IN AN OUTDOOR STORAGE UNIT. 18

(2) THE SALE OF CONSUMER FIREWORKS FROM A TEM PORARY 19
STRUCTURE IS LIMITED TO THE FOLLOWING: 20

(I) HELICOPTER, AERIAL SPINNER (APA 87–1, 3.1.2.3); 21

(II) ROMAN CANDLE (APA 87–1, 3.1.2.4); AND 22

(III) MINE AND SHELL DEVICES NOT EXCEEDING 500 GRAMS. 23

(C) THIS SECTION DOES NOT APPLY TO A COUNTY TH AT ADOPTS A LOCAL 24
LAW PROHIBITING THE SALE OF CONSUMER FIREWORKS IN THE COUNTY. 25

SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That the Laws of Maryland read 26
as follows: 27

Article – Public Safety 28
HOUSE BILL 1502 11

1–308. 1

(a) There is a 9–1–1 Trust Fund. 2

(b) (1) Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection and subject to § 3
1–309.1 of this subtitle, the purposes of the 9–1–1 Trust Fund are to: 4

(i) reimburse counties for the cost of enhancing a 9–1–1 system; 5

(ii) pay contractors in accordance with § 1–306(b)(12) of this subtitle; 6
and 7

(iii) fund the coordinator position and staff to handle the increased 8
duties related to wireless e nhanced 9 –1–1 service under § 1 –305 of this subtitle, as an 9
administrative cost. 10

(2) Subject to paragraph (3) of this subsection, in addition to the purposes 11
described under paragraph (1) of this subsection, the purposes of the 9 –1–1 Trust Fund 12
include funding: 13

(i) the operation and maintenance of 9 –1–1 systems, enhanced 14
9–1–1 systems, and Next Generation 9–1–1 services, including: 15

1. equipment and software utilized directly for providing 16
9–1–1 services by a public safety answering point; 17

2. protocol systems and software utilized directly for 18
providing 9–1–1 services by a public safety answering point; 19

3. interpretation services provided for a public safety 20
answering point; 21

4. services provided for a public safety answering point to 22
ensure improved access to individuals with disabilities and other individuals who use 23
assistive technology; and 24

5. voice, data, and call log recorders utilized to capture 25
information from 9 –1–1 systems, enhanced 9 –1–1 systems, and Next Generation 9–1–1 26
services; 27

(ii) the operation and maintenance of 9 –1–1 systems, enhanced 28
9–1–1 systems, and Next Generation 9 –1–1 services connectivity and infrastructure 29
equipment, including: 30

1. automatic number and location identification; and 31

12 HOUSE BILL 1502

2. Primary Rate Interface and Session Initiation Protocol 1
trucking for 10–digit emergency and nonemergency lines; 2

(iii) geographical information systems hardware, software, data 3
development, and data management costs incurred for the effective operation o f 9 –1–1 4
systems, enhanced 9–1–1 systems, and Next Generation 9–1–1 services, including: 5

1. mapping equipment; 6

2. interfaces to computer–aided dispatch; and 7

3. geographical information systems base layer development 8
and management; 9

(iv) public safety answering point facilities costs, including access 10
control, security systems, and standby power; 11

(v) costs for public education materials; 12

(vi) the training of county personnel working in or directly 13
supporting a public safety answering point; 14

(vii) the provision of tuition reimbursement for 9 –1–1 specialists for 15
educational programs related to the 9–1–1 specialist career field; 16

(viii) costs to maintain the cybersecurity of 9 –1–1 systems, enhanced 17
9–1–1 systems, and Next Generation 9–1–1 services; 18

(ix) costs of 9–1–1 specialist recruitment activities as described in § 19
1–306(b)(17) of this subtitle; 20

(x) costs of telecommunications cardiopulmonary resuscitation 21
training; and 22

(xi) costs related to the operation of the 9–8–8 suicide prevention 23
hotline that may be shared with 9 –1–1 activities, including software interfaces and joint 24
training. 25

(3) Funding allocated in accordance with paragraph (2) of this subsection 26
may not be utilized for any costs that solely support the 9–8–8 suicide prevention hotline. 27

(c) The 9–1–1 Trust Fund consists of: 28

(1) money from the 9 –1–1 fee collected and remitted to the Comptroller 29
under § 1–310 of this subtitle; 30

(2) money from the additional charge collected and remitted to the 31
HOUSE BILL 1502 13

Comptroller under § 1–311 of this subtitle; 1

(3) money from the prepaid wireless E 9–1–1 fee collected and remitted to 2
the Comptroller under § 1–313 of this subtitle; [and] 3

(4) MONEY DISTRIBUTED TO THE FUND FROM THE CONSUME R 4
FIREWORKS TAX UNDER §§ 2–1302.6 AND 11–104 OF THE TAX – GENERAL ARTICLE; 5
AND 6

[(4)] (5) investment earnings of the 9–1–1 Trust Fund. 7

(d) Money in the 9–1–1 Trust Fund shall be held in the State Treasury. 8

(e) The Secretary shall administer the 9 –1–1 Trust Fund, subject to the 9
guidelines for financial management and budgeting established by the Department of 10
Budget and Management. 11

(f) The Secretary shall direct the Comptroller to establish separate accounts in 12
the 9–1–1 Trust Fund for the payment of administrative expenses and for each county. 13

(g) (1) Any investment earnings shall be credited to the 9–1–1 Trust Fund. 14

(2) The Comptroller shall allocate the investment income among the 15
accounts in the 9–1–1 Trust Fund, prorated on the basis of the total fees collected in each 16
county. 17

8–102. 18

(a) There is a Senator William H. Amoss Fire, Rescue, and Ambulance Fund. 19

(b) The purposes of the Fund are to promote: 20

(1) the delivery of effective and high quality fire protection, rescue, and 21
ambulance services in the State; 22

(2) increased financial support for fire, rescue, and ambulance companies 23
by counties; and 24

(3) the continued financial viability of volunteer fire, rescue, and 25
ambulance companies given the greatly increased costs of equipment. 26

(c) (1) The Secretary shall administer the Fund. 27

(2) Subject to paragraph (3) of this subsection, the Secretary may adopt 28
procedures to carry out this subtitle, including additional auditing and reporting 29
requirements. 30

14 HOUSE BILL 1502

(3) The Secretary may not impose training or operational requirements as 1
a precondition to receipt of money, except as otherwise expressly provided in this subtitle. 2

(d) The Fund consists of: 3

(1) money appropriated in the State budget to the Fund; 4

(2) MONEY DISTRIBUTED TO THE FUND FROM THE CONSUME R 5
FIREWORKS TAX UNDER §§ 2–1302.6 AND 11–104 OF THE TAX – GENERAL ARTICLE; 6
and 7

[(2)] (3) revenue distributed to the Fund under § 16–609 of the Business 8
Regulation Article. 9

(e) (1) As authorized by the Secretary, the Treasurer shall make payments out 10
of the Fund to each county on warrant of the Comptroller. 11

(2) The Treasurer shall make the payments required under this subsection 12
to the appropriate county on or about November 15. 13

(f) (1) State money provided under this section may only be used to: 14

(i) acquire or rehabilitate fire or rescue equipment, including 15
ambulances; 16

(ii) acquire or rehabilitate capital equipment used in connection with 17
fire or rescue equipment; 18

(iii) rehabilitate facilities used primarily to house fire fighting 19
equipment, ambulances, and rescue vehicles; 20

(iv) install life safety and fire protection systems at a fire, rescue, or 21
ambulance facility; 22

(v) acquire land for the purpose of rehabilitation or construction of a 23
fire, rescue, or ambulance facility; 24

(vi) acquire wireless telecommunications devices, computers, and 25
related computer equipment if used exclusively for fire protection, rescue, and ambulance 26
services; and 27

(vii) acquire machinery and equipment if used exclusively for fire 28
protection, rescue, and ambulance services. 29

(2) State money provided under this section may not be used: 30

(i) for administrative costs; 31
HOUSE BILL 1502 15

(ii) for compensation or fringe benefits to employees or members of 1
county governments, or fire, rescue, or ambulance companies; 2

(iii) for travel or meal expenses; 3

(iv) for fuel, utility, or routine maintenance costs of facilities or 4
equipment; 5

(v) to acquire new or replacement fire hydrants or water mains; 6

(vi) for insurance; 7

(vii) for fund–raising activities; 8

(viii) to replace or repair eligible items to the extent that insurance 9
proceeds are available; 10

(ix) for costs associated with the “9 –1–1” emergency telephone 11
system; or 12

(x) for land or interests in land, except as provided in paragraph 13
(1)(v) of this subsection. 14

(g) Beginning in fiscal year 2026, the Governor shall include an annual 15
appropriation to the Fund of at least $16,500,000. 16

Article – Tax – General 17

2–1302.6. 18

AFTER MAKING THE DIST RIBUTIONS REQUIRED UNDER §§ 2–1301 THROUGH 19
2–1302.5 OF T HIS SUBTITLE , OF THE SALES AND USE TAX COLLECTED UNDER § 20
11–104(M) OF THIS ARTICLE FROM THE SALE OF CONSUMER FIREWORKS, AS 21
DEFINED IN § 10–101 OF THE PUBLIC SAFETY ARTICLE, THE COMPTROLLER 22
QUARTERLY SHALL DISTRIBUTE: 23

(1) 31% TO THE 9–1–1 TRUST FUND UNDER § 1–308 OF THE PUBLIC 24
SAFETY ARTICLE; 25

(2) 31% TO THE SENATOR WILLIAM H. AMOSS FIRE, RESCUE, AND 26
AMBULANCE FUND UNDER § 8–102 OF THE PUBLIC SAFETY ARTICLE; AND 27

(3) 38% TO THE GENERAL FUND OF THE STATE. 28

11–104. 29
16 HOUSE BILL 1502

(M) THE SALES AND USE TAX RATE FOR CONSUMER FIREWORKS , AS 1
DEFINED IN § 10–101 OF THE PUBLIC SAFETY ARTICLE, IS, FOR FISCAL YEAR 2027 2
AND EACH FISCAL YEAR THEREAFTER, 16%. 3

SECTION 3. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect 4
October 1, 2026. 5