1 | A bill to be entitled |
2 | An act relating to fireworks; amending s. 791.001, F.S.; |
3 | specifying persons and entities responsible for enforcing |
4 | ch. 791, F.S.; amending s. 791.01, F.S.; revising and |
5 | providing additional definitions; amending s. 791.012, |
6 | F.S.; conforming a cross reference; amending s. 791.015, |
7 | F.S.; revising registration requirements for |
8 | manufacturers, distributors, and wholesalers of sparklers |
9 | or fireworks and retailers of sparklers; requiring a |
10 | separate registration for each location at which sparklers |
11 | are sold and for each location at which fireworks will be |
12 | manufactured or sold; increasing certain registration |
13 | fees; creating s. 791.016, F.S.; providing for issuance of |
14 | cease and desist orders; creating s. 791.017, F.S.; |
15 | providing for administrative fines; creating s. 791.018, |
16 | F.S.; providing for suspension or revocation of |
17 | registration and grounds therefor; creating s. 791.019, |
18 | F.S.; providing duration of suspensions and revocations; |
19 | amending s. 791.02, F.S.; providing for state issuance of |
20 | permits for public displays of fireworks in the absence of |
21 | a local permitting process; prohibiting the sale or |
22 | delivery of sparklers or other fireworks to minors; |
23 | prohibiting sales from motorized or movable apparatus; |
24 | authorizing sales from tents meeting applicable codes and |
25 | fire regulations; creating s. 791.021, F.S.; prescribing |
26 | guidelines for the sale of sparklers; amending s. 791.04, |
27 | F.S.; prescribing guidelines for the sale at wholesale and |
28 | the transport of fireworks; creating s. 791.041, F.S.; |
29 | providing recordkeeping requirements; providing duties of |
30 | manufacturers, distributors, and wholesalers with respect |
31 | to determination of purchasers' ages and registration; |
32 | amending s. 791.05, F.S.; revising provisions and |
33 | procedures relating to forfeiture of contraband fireworks; |
34 | authorizing an assessment for disposal, including |
35 | attorney's fees and costs; amending s. 791.055, F.S.; |
36 | providing restrictions on the storage of sparklers and |
37 | fireworks; amending s. 791.06, F.S.; providing penalties |
38 | for violations, including enhanced penalties for second |
39 | and subsequent violations; creating s. 791.061, F.S.; |
40 | providing for injunctive relief; amending s. 791.07, F.S.; |
41 | prescribing additional guidelines for the use of fireworks |
42 | by persons engaged in agricultural works or the operation |
43 | of a fish hatchery; creating s. 791.08, F.S.; declaring |
44 | that the state does not preempt the field of fireworks |
45 | regulation; authorizing the adoption of local ordinances |
46 | and rules that are more stringent than state law; |
47 | providing an effective date. |
48 |
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49 | Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida: |
50 |
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51 | Section 1. Section 791.001, Florida Statutes, is amended |
52 | to read: |
53 | 791.001 Application and enforcement.--This chapter shall |
54 | be applied uniformly throughout the state. The State Fire |
55 | Marshal or a designated agent under his or her authority, any |
56 | sheriff or sheriff's deputy, any other law enforcement agency or |
57 | law enforcement officer, or any certified firesafety inspector |
58 | charged with enforcing the laws of this state or any state |
59 | agency rule, county or municipal ordinance, or code provision |
60 | has jurisdiction to enforce this chapter. Enforcement of this |
61 | chapter shall remain with local law enforcement departments and |
62 | officials charged with the enforcement of the laws of the state. |
63 | Section 2. Section 791.01, Florida Statutes, is amended to |
64 | read: |
65 | 791.01 Definitions.--As used in this chapter, the term: |
66 | (1) "Authority having jurisdiction" means the state; any |
67 | county, municipality, or special district; or any local or other |
68 | regional department, bureau, or individual, such as a fire |
69 | chief, fire marshal, administrative head of a fire prevention |
70 | bureau, law enforcement officer, building official, or other |
71 | person, having statutory authority to enforce the laws of this |
72 | state or any state agency rule, county or municipal ordinance, |
73 | or code provision. |
74 | (2) "Distributor of fireworks" means any person or |
75 | organization engaged in the business of selling fireworks. |
76 | (3)(1) "Distributor of sparklers" means any person or |
77 | organization engaged in the business of selling sparklers to a |
78 | wholesaler. |
79 | (4)(2) "Division" means the Division of the State Fire |
80 | Marshal of the Department of Financial Services. |
81 | (5)(3) "Explosive compound" means any chemical compound, |
82 | mixture, or device the primary or common purpose of which is to |
83 | function by the substantially instantaneous release of gas and |
84 | heat. |
85 | (6)(4)(a) "Fireworks" means and includes any combustible |
86 | or explosive composition or substance or combination of |
87 | substances or, except as hereinafter provided, any article |
88 | prepared for the purpose of producing a visible or audible |
89 | effect by combustion, explosion, deflagration, or detonation. |
90 | The term includes blank cartridges and toy cannons in which |
91 | explosives are used, the type of balloons which require fire |
92 | underneath to propel them, firecrackers, torpedoes, skyrockets, |
93 | roman candles, dago bombs, and any fireworks containing any |
94 | explosives or flammable compound or any tablets or other device |
95 | containing any explosive substance. |
96 | (b) "Fireworks" does not include sparklers approved by the |
97 | division pursuant to s. 791.013; toy pistols, toy canes, toy |
98 | guns, or other devices in which paper caps containing twenty- |
99 | five hundredths grains or less of explosive compound are used, |
100 | providing they are so constructed that the hand cannot come in |
101 | contact with the cap when in place for the explosion; and toy |
102 | pistol paper caps which contain less than twenty hundredths |
103 | grains of explosive mixture, the sale and use of which shall be |
104 | permitted at all times. |
105 | (c) "Fireworks" also does not include the following |
106 | novelties and trick noisemakers: |
107 | 1. A snake or glow worm, which is a pressed pellet of not |
108 | more than 10 grams of pyrotechnic composition that produces a |
109 | large, snakelike ash which expands in length as the pellet burns |
110 | and that does not contain mercuric thiocyanate. |
111 | 2. A smoke device, which is a tube or sphere containing |
112 | not more than 10 grams of pyrotechnic composition that, upon |
113 | burning, produces white or colored smoke as the primary effect. |
114 | 3. A trick noisemaker, which is a device that produces a |
115 | small report intended to surprise the user and which includes: |
116 | a. A party popper, which is a small plastic or paper |
117 | device containing not more than 16 milligrams of explosive |
118 | composition that is friction sensitive, which is ignited by |
119 | pulling a string protruding from the device, and which expels a |
120 | paper streamer and produces a small report. |
121 | b. A booby trap, which is a small tube with a string |
122 | protruding from both ends containing not more than 16 milligrams |
123 | of explosive compound, which is ignited by pulling the ends of |
124 | the string, and which produces a small report. |
125 | c. A snapper, which is a small, paper-wrapped device |
126 | containing not more than four milligrams of explosive |
127 | composition coated on small bits of sand, and which, when |
128 | dropped, explodes, producing a small report. A snapper may not |
129 | contain more than 250 milligrams of total sand and explosive |
130 | composition. |
131 | d. A trick match, which is a kitchen or book match which |
132 | is coated with not more than 16 milligrams of explosive or |
133 | pyrotechnic composition and which, upon ignition, produces a |
134 | small report or shower of sparks. |
135 | e. A cigarette load, which is a small wooden peg that has |
136 | been coated with not more than 16 milligrams of explosive |
137 | composition and which produces, upon ignition of a cigarette |
138 | containing one of the pegs, a small report. |
139 | f. An auto burglar alarm, which is a tube which contains |
140 | not more than 10 grams of pyrotechnic composition that produces |
141 | a loud whistle or smoke when ignited and which is ignited by use |
142 | of a squib. A small quantity of explosive, not exceeding 50 |
143 | milligrams, may also be used to produce a small report. |
144 |
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145 | The sale and use of items listed in this paragraph are permitted |
146 | at all times. |
147 | (7) "Fixed location" means a building or structure that is |
148 | intended to remain in place for a period of more than 180 |
149 | consecutive days. |
150 | (8) "Manufacturer of fireworks" means any person or |
151 | organization engaged in the manufacture or construction of |
152 | fireworks in this state. |
153 | (9)(5) "Manufacturer of sparklers" means any person or |
154 | organization engaged in the manufacture or construction of |
155 | sparklers in this state. |
156 | (10) "Organization" means any club, group, association, |
157 | church or other religious entity, nonprofit corporation, or |
158 | similar entity. |
159 | (11) "Person" includes any individual person and any firm, |
160 | sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation, limited liability |
161 | corporation or partnership, professional association, or other |
162 | similar entity. |
163 | (12)(6) "Retailer" means any person who, at a fixed |
164 | location place of business, is engaged in selling sparklers to |
165 | consumers at retail. |
166 | (13)(7) "Seasonal retailer" means any person engaged in |
167 | the business of selling sparklers at retail in this state from |
168 | June 20 through July 5 and from December 10 through January 2 of |
169 | each year. |
170 | (14)(8) "Sparkler" means a device which emits showers of |
171 | sparks upon burning, does not contain any explosive compounds, |
172 | does not detonate or explode, is hand held or ground based, |
173 | cannot propel itself through the air, and contains not more than |
174 | 100 grams of the chemical compound which produces sparks upon |
175 | burning. Any sparkler that is not approved by the division is |
176 | classified as fireworks. |
177 | (15) "Wholesaler of fireworks" means any person or |
178 | organization engaged in the business of selling fireworks to |
179 | another wholesaler, a distributor, or a manufacturer registered |
180 | under this chapter or for agricultural or public display |
181 | purposes. |
182 | (16)(9) "Wholesaler of sparklers" means any person or |
183 | organization engaged in the business of selling sparklers to a |
184 | retailer. |
185 | Section 3. Section 791.012, Florida Statutes, is amended |
186 | to read: |
187 | 791.012 Minimum fireworks safety standards.--The outdoor |
188 | display of fireworks in this state shall be governed by the |
189 | National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1123, Code for |
190 | Fireworks Display, 1995 Edition, approved by the American |
191 | National Standards Institute. Any state, county, or municipal |
192 | law, rule, or ordinance may provide for more stringent |
193 | regulations for the outdoor display of fireworks, but in no |
194 | event may any such law, rule, or ordinance provide for less |
195 | stringent regulations for the outdoor display of fireworks. The |
196 | division shall adopt promulgate rules to carry out the |
197 | provisions of this section. The Code for Fireworks Display |
198 | shall not govern the display of any fireworks on private, |
199 | residential property and shall not govern the display of those |
200 | items included under s. 791.01(6)(b) and (c) s. 791.01(4)(b) and |
201 | (c) and authorized for sale thereunder. |
202 | Section 4. Section 791.015, Florida Statutes, is amended |
203 | to read: |
204 | 791.015 Registration of manufacturers, distributors, and |
205 | wholesalers of sparklers or fireworks, and retailers of |
206 | sparklers.-- |
207 | (1) REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS.--An organization or |
208 | individual may not engage in the business of manufacturing, |
209 | distributing, or selling at wholesale or retail any firework or |
210 | sparkler except as provided in this section. Any manufacturer, |
211 | distributor, or wholesaler of sparklers or fireworks and any, |
212 | retailer, or seasonal retailer of sparklers who wishes to do |
213 | business in this state or to otherwise sell, ship, or assign for |
214 | sale its products in this state must register annually with the |
215 | division on forms prescribed by the division. A manufacturer, |
216 | distributor, wholesaler, retailer, or seasonal retailer must |
217 | submit a separate registration form and a separate registration |
218 | fee for each location where sparklers will be sold. A |
219 | manufacturer, distributor, or wholesaler who wishes to engage in |
220 | the business of manufacturing, distributing, or selling |
221 | fireworks to the extent allowed in this chapter must submit a |
222 | separate registration form and a separate registration fee for |
223 | each location where fireworks will be manufactured or sold. |
224 | Registration certificates issued by the division shall be |
225 | displayed on the premises and made available for immediate |
226 | inspection by the authority having jurisdiction or the division. |
227 | A person may not alter, deface, or copy a certificate of |
228 | registration. Any retailer who sells sparklers at more than one |
229 | retail location may submit one registration form for all such |
230 | locations but must provide the address of each location with the |
231 | registration form; however, any retailer may submit multiple |
232 | registration forms. |
233 | (2) REGISTRATION FORM.--The registration form filed with |
234 | the division must be notarized and must include the following |
235 | information: name of the individual, if the certificate is to be |
236 | held in an individual capacity; business name; address; |
237 | telephone number; officers, if the business is a corporation; |
238 | and an individual designated as a contact person. The form for |
239 | application for registration by the division must be accompanied |
240 | by evidence of registration with the Department of Revenue under |
241 | chapter 212. |
242 | (3) FEES.-- |
243 | (a) Each manufacturer, distributor, or wholesaler must pay |
244 | an annual registration fee to be set by the division not to |
245 | exceed $1,000 for each manufacturer, distributor, or wholesale |
246 | location registered. Each seasonal retailer must pay an annual |
247 | registration fee to be set by the division not to exceed $200 |
248 | for each seasonal retailer location registered. Each retailer |
249 | shall pay an annual registration fee to be set by the division |
250 | not to exceed $25 $15 for each retail location registered. Each |
251 | certificateholder wishing to have a duplicate certificate issued |
252 | for one which is lost or to reflect a change of mailing address |
253 | shall request such duplicate in writing and shall pay a fee of |
254 | $15 $5. A duplicate certificate may not be issued to indicate a |
255 | change in business location. A change in business location |
256 | requires a new application for registration and fee. |
257 | (b) Revenue from registration fee payments shall be |
258 | deposited in the Insurance Regulatory Trust Fund for the |
259 | purposes of implementing the registration and testing provisions |
260 | of this chapter. |
261 | (4) RULES.--The State Fire Marshal may adopt rules |
262 | prescribing registration forms required by this section. |
263 | Section 5. Section 791.016, Florida Statutes, is created |
264 | to read: |
265 | 791.016 Procedures for cease and desist orders; |
266 | administrative fine.-- |
267 | (1) Any time the division has reason to believe that a |
268 | person is committing or has committed a violation of this |
269 | chapter or any rule adopted under this chapter, the division |
270 | shall determine the matter by issuing a notice of intent to |
271 | issue a cease and desist order and provide an opportunity for a |
272 | hearing and all other requirements of chapter 120. |
273 | (2) If the division determines that the acts complained of |
274 | are in violation of any provision of this chapter or any rule |
275 | adopted under this chapter, the division shall issue a final |
276 | order requiring the person to cease and desist from the |
277 | violation or imposing an administrative fine, or both. |
278 | (3) This section shall be enforced as provided in chapter |
279 | 120. |
280 | Section 6. Section 791.017, Florida Statutes, is created |
281 | to read: |
282 | 791.017 Administrative fines.-- |
283 | (1) If a person violates any provision of this chapter or |
284 | any rule adopted under this chapter, or violates a cease and |
285 | desist order, the division may impose an administrative fine, |
286 | not to exceed $1,000 for each violation, or suspend or revoke |
287 | the certificate of registration issued. |
288 | (2) The division may allow the certificateholder a |
289 | reasonable time, not to exceed 30 days, to pay the penalty in |
290 | its entirety to the division. If the certificateholder fails to |
291 | pay the penalty in its entirety within the period allowed, the |
292 | division shall revoke the certificates held. |
293 | (3) If a cease and desist order has been issued, each day |
294 | the cease and desist order is violated constitutes a separate |
295 | violation for purposes of assessing an administrative fine. |
296 | (4) If the violation is based on an unlawful sale, each |
297 | sale constitutes a separate violation for purposes of assessing |
298 | an administrative fine. |
299 | (5) The maximum administrative fine imposed on any person |
300 | or organization may not exceed $500,000. |
301 | Section 7. Section 791.018, Florida Statutes, is created |
302 | to read: |
303 | 791.018 Grounds for suspension or revocation of |
304 | registration certificate for manufacturers, distributors, |
305 | wholesalers, and retailers.-- |
306 | (1) The division may suspend or revoke the registration |
307 | certificate of manufacturers, distributors, wholesalers, and |
308 | retailers for one or more of the following grounds: |
309 | (a) Material misstatement, misrepresentation, or fraud in |
310 | obtaining or attempting to obtain a registration certificate. |
311 | (b) Willful use of a registration certificate to |
312 | circumvent any requirement or prohibition in this chapter. |
313 | (c) Fraudulent or dishonest practices in the conduct of |
314 | business under the authority of the registration certificate. |
315 | (d) Violation of or failure to comply with any order or |
316 | rule of the division or any provision of this chapter. |
317 | (2) This section shall be enforced as provided in chapter |
318 | 120. |
319 | Section 8. Section 791.019, Florida Statutes, is created |
320 | to read: |
321 | 791.019 Duration of suspension or revocation.-- |
322 | (1) The division shall, in its order suspending the |
323 | registration certificate of an individual, firm, partnership, |
324 | association, group, or corporation, specify the period during |
325 | which the suspension is to be effective, but such period may not |
326 | exceed 2 years. The registration certificate shall remain |
327 | suspended during the period specified, subject to any rescission |
328 | or modification of the order by the division or modification or |
329 | reversal thereof by the court prior to expiration of the |
330 | suspension period. A registration certificate that has been |
331 | suspended may not be reinstated except upon request for |
332 | reinstatement, but the division may not grant such reinstatement |
333 | if it finds that the circumstance or circumstances for which the |
334 | registration certificate was suspended or revoked still exist or |
335 | are likely to recur. |
336 | (2) A person or organization holding a registration |
337 | certificate revoked by the division may not apply for another |
338 | registration certificate under this chapter within 2 years after |
339 | the effective date of revocation or, if judicial review of |
340 | revocation is sought, within 2 years after the date of the final |
341 | court order or decree affirming the revocation order. |
342 | (3) The division may not issue a registration certificate |
343 | to any person or organization whose registration certificate has |
344 | been revoked on two separate occasions. |
345 | (4) During the period of suspension, or after revocation |
346 | of the registration certificate, the former certificateholder |
347 | may not engage in, or attempt or profess to engage in, any |
348 | transaction or business for which a registration certificate is |
349 | required by this chapter. |
350 | Section 9. Section 791.02, Florida Statutes, is amended to |
351 | read: |
352 | 791.02 Sale of fireworks regulated; rules and |
353 | regulations.-- |
354 | (1) Except as hereinafter provided it is unlawful for any |
355 | person or organization, firm, copartnership, or corporation to |
356 | offer for sale, expose for sale, sell at retail, or use or |
357 | explode any fireworks; provided that the board of county |
358 | commissioners shall have power to adopt reasonable rules and |
359 | regulations for the granting of permits for supervised public |
360 | display of fireworks by fair associations, amusement parks, and |
361 | other organizations or groups of individuals when such public |
362 | display is to take place outside of any municipality; provided, |
363 | further, that the governing body of any municipality shall have |
364 | power to adopt reasonable rules and regulations for the granting |
365 | of permits for supervised public display of fireworks within the |
366 | boundaries of any municipality. Every such display shall be |
367 | handled by a competent operator to be approved by the chiefs of |
368 | the police and fire departments of the municipality in which the |
369 | display is to be held, and shall be of such a character, and so |
370 | located, discharged, or fired as in the opinion of the chief of |
371 | the fire department, after proper inspection, shall not be |
372 | hazardous to property or endanger any person. Application for |
373 | permits shall be made in writing at least 15 days in advance of |
374 | the date of the display. If the local authority licensing |
375 | jurisdiction does not have a permit process for the public |
376 | display of fireworks, applications shall be made to the State |
377 | Fire Marshal. After such privilege is shall have been granted, |
378 | sales, possession, use, and distribution of fireworks for such |
379 | display shall be lawful for that purpose only. No permit |
380 | granted hereunder shall be transferable. Any public display of |
381 | fireworks must be conducted in compliance with s. 791.012. |
382 | (2) A sparkler or other product authorized for sale under |
383 | this chapter may not be sold or shipped to any person younger |
384 | than 18 years of age. A sparkler or other product authorized for |
385 | sale under this chapter may not be sold by a retailer or |
386 | seasonal retailer unless the product was obtained from a |
387 | manufacturer, distributor, or wholesaler registered with the |
388 | division pursuant to s. 791.015. Each retailer and seasonal |
389 | retailer shall keep, at every location where sparklers are sold, |
390 | a copy of an invoice or other evidence of purchase from the |
391 | manufacturer, distributor, or wholesaler, which states the |
392 | registration certificate number for the particular manufacturer, |
393 | distributor, or wholesaler and the specific items covered by the |
394 | invoice. Each seasonal retailer shall, in addition, exhibit a |
395 | copy of his or her registration certificate at each retail or |
396 | seasonal retail location. Retail sales may not be made from any |
397 | type of motorized or movable apparatus. Sales from tents that |
398 | meet all applicable codes and fire regulations are allowed. |
399 | Section 10. Section 791.021, Florida Statutes, is created |
400 | to read: |
401 | 791.021 Sale of sparklers.-- |
402 | (1) A person, organization, manufacturer, distributor, |
403 | wholesaler, retailer, or seasonal retailer may not purchase, |
404 | sell, or solicit to sell sparklers except in conformance with |
405 | this chapter. |
406 | (2) It is the responsibility of the person, organization, |
407 | manufacturer, distributor, or wholesaler to determine that the |
408 | purchaser is registered with the division. |
409 | (3) It is the responsibility of the retailer or seasonal |
410 | retailer of sparklers to determine that a purchaser is at least |
411 | 18 years of age, evidenced by the purchaser presenting a valid |
412 | driver's license or a valid state identification card issued by |
413 | the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. |
414 | Section 11. Section 791.04, Florida Statutes, is amended |
415 | to read: |
416 | 791.04 Sale at wholesale; requirements for transport, |
417 | etc., exempted.-- |
418 | (1) A Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to |
419 | prohibit any manufacturer, distributor, or wholesaler of |
420 | fireworks who has registered with the division pursuant to s. |
421 | 791.015 may to sell at wholesale any such fireworks as are not |
422 | herein prohibited to any manufacturer, distributor, or |
423 | wholesaler of fireworks who has registered with the division and |
424 | holds a current certificate of registration. |
425 | (2) Fireworks shall be shipped or transported directly out |
426 | of state or stored in compliance with s. 791.055 by the |
427 | manufacturer, distributor, or wholesaler of fireworks. |
428 | (3) Sale of fireworks may be made to a person holding a |
429 | public display permit issued by the authority having |
430 | jurisdiction for the purpose of conducting a public display of |
431 | fireworks in compliance with s. 791.012. Transport must be by a |
432 | bonded commercial carrier or by a person employed by the |
433 | manufacturer, distributor, or wholesaler of fireworks. Transport |
434 | must be accompanied by an invoice or bill of lading identifying |
435 | the manufacturer, distributor, or wholesaler of fireworks with |
436 | the current certificate of registration number on the invoice or |
437 | bill of lading and an itemized list of the contents of the |
438 | shipment.; to prohibit the sale of any kind of fireworks at |
439 | wholesale between manufacturers, distributors, and wholesalers |
440 | who have registered with the division pursuant to s. 791.015; to |
441 | prohibit the sale of any kind of fireworks provided the same are |
442 | to be shipped directly out of state by such manufacturer, |
443 | distributor, or wholesaler; to prohibit the sale of fireworks to |
444 | be used by a person holding a permit from any board of county |
445 | commissioners at the display covered by such permit; or to |
446 | prohibit the use of fireworks by railroads or other |
447 | transportation agencies for signal purposes or illumination or |
448 | when used in quarrying or for blasting or other industrial use, |
449 | or the sale or use of blank cartridges for a show or theater, or |
450 | for signal or ceremonial purposes in athletics or sports, or for |
451 | use by military organizations, or organizations composed of the |
452 | Armed Forces of the United States; provided, nothing in this |
453 | chapter shall be construed as barring the operations of |
454 | manufacturers, duly licensed, from manufacturing, experimenting, |
455 | exploding, and storing such fireworks in their compounds or |
456 | proving grounds. |
457 | Section 12. Section 791.041, Florida Statutes, is created |
458 | to read: |
459 | 791.041 Maintenance of records of sales of fireworks by |
460 | manufacturers, distributors, and wholesalers; examination of |
461 | records; responsibility to determine purchaser's age and |
462 | registration.-- |
463 | (1) A person, organization, manufacturer, distributor, or |
464 | wholesaler may not purchase, sell, or solicit to sell fireworks |
465 | except in conformance with this chapter. |
466 | (2) Each sale or transaction must be evidenced by an |
467 | invoice or sales ticket that bears the name, address, and |
468 | certificate of registration number of the purchaser or, in the |
469 | case of a sale conducted for public display, a copy of the |
470 | permit issued by the authority having jurisdiction, the date of |
471 | the sale, the products sold, and the quantity sold. All invoices |
472 | and sales tickets shall be maintained by the manufacturer, |
473 | distributor, or wholesaler of fireworks and a copy provided to |
474 | the purchaser. |
475 | (3) Such records shall be maintained for 5 years, subject |
476 | to examination by the division or any official of this state |
477 | with statutory authority under s. 791.001. |
478 | (4) A person may not knowingly withhold information or |
479 | make any false or fictitious entry or misrepresentation upon any |
480 | sales invoice, sales ticket, or account of inventories. |
481 | (5) It is the responsibility of the manufacturer, |
482 | distributor, or wholesaler of fireworks to determine that a |
483 | purchaser is at least 18 years of age, evidenced by the |
484 | purchaser's presenting a valid driver's license or a valid state |
485 | identification card issued by the Department of Highway Safety |
486 | and Motor Vehicles. |
487 | (6) It is the responsibility of the manufacturer, |
488 | distributor, or wholesaler of fireworks to determine, when |
489 | selling fireworks under s. 791.04, that the purchaser is |
490 | registered under s. 791.015, evidenced by the purchaser |
491 | presenting a valid certificate of registration issued by the |
492 | division. If the purchase of fireworks is for public display, |
493 | the purchase must be evidenced by the purchaser presenting a |
494 | public display permit issued by the authority having |
495 | jurisdiction. Agricultural purchases shall be in compliance with |
496 | s. 791.07. |
497 | Section 13. Section 791.05, Florida Statutes, is amended |
498 | to read: |
499 | 791.05 Contraband; seizure, forfeiture, and disposal of |
500 | illegal fireworks.-- |
501 | (1) All fireworks or sparklers that are handled, |
502 | delivered, possessed, manufactured, or distributed contrary to |
503 | any provision of this chapter and all such fireworks or |
504 | sparklers the lawful possession of which is not established or |
505 | title to which cannot be ascertained are declared contraband and |
506 | are subject to seizure and confiscation by any person or law |
507 | enforcement agency whose duty it is to enforce this chapter. |
508 | (2) The state attorney within whose jurisdiction the |
509 | unlawful fireworks or sparklers have been seized or any such |
510 | attorney as is employed by the seizing law enforcement agency |
511 | shall promptly proceed against the contraband fireworks and show |
512 | cause in the circuit court within the jurisdiction in which the |
513 | seizure or offense occurred and may have such contraband article |
514 | or articles forfeited to the law enforcement agency making the |
515 | seizure upon showing proof that the contraband fireworks were |
516 | being used or exist in violation of this chapter. |
517 | (3) Any fireworks seized as evidence may be sample tested |
518 | and weighed by the seizing agency after the seizure. Any such |
519 | sample and analysis thereof may be admitted into evidence in any |
520 | civil or criminal action for the purpose of proving the nature, |
521 | composition, and weight of the fireworks. In addition, the |
522 | seizing agency may photograph or videotape, for use at trial, |
523 | the fireworks seized. Except for fireworks retained by the |
524 | seizing agency for sample testing, analysis, and evidence, upon |
525 | a final determination that the seized fireworks were being used |
526 | or exist in violation of this chapter, the circuit court having |
527 | jurisdiction shall order such fireworks forfeited and destroyed. |
528 | The method of destruction or disposal of such fireworks shall be |
529 | at the discretion of the seizing agency. |
530 | (4) The final order of forfeiture by the court shall |
531 | perfect in the seizing law enforcement agency all rights, title, |
532 | and interest in and to such fireworks and shall relate back to |
533 | the date of seizure. |
534 | (5) The court may include in its forfeiture order a |
535 | provision that the owner or holder of the contraband fireworks |
536 | pay an assessment to cover the cost of disposal of contraband, |
537 | including attorney's fees and costs, and any costs incurred by |
538 | the arresting agency in storing the contraband. Each sheriff, or |
539 | his or her appointee, or any other police officer, shall seize, |
540 | take, remove or cause to be removed at the expense of the owner, |
541 | all stocks of fireworks or combustibles offered or exposed for |
542 | sale, stored, or held in violation of this chapter. |
543 | Section 14. Section 791.055, Florida Statutes, is amended |
544 | to read: |
545 | 791.055 Restrictions upon storage of sparklers and |
546 | fireworks.--The storage of sparklers and fireworks in this state |
547 | is governed by the National Fire Protection Association 1124 |
548 | Code as adopted by rule of the Department of Financial Services. |
549 | (1) Sparklers shall not be stored or kept for sale in any |
550 | store: |
551 | (a) In which paints, oils, or varnishes are manufactured |
552 | or kept for use or sale unless the paints, oils, or varnishes |
553 | are in unbroken containers. |
554 | (b) In which resin, turpentine, gasoline, or flammable |
555 | substances or substances which may generate vapors are used, |
556 | stored, or offered for sale unless the resin, turpentine, |
557 | gasoline, or substances are in unbroken containers. |
558 | (c) In which there is not at least one approved chemical |
559 | fire extinguisher ready, available, and equipped for use in |
560 | extinguishing fires. |
561 | (2) When sparklers are in storage to be offered for sale |
562 | at retail, a sign shall be conspicuously displayed over the |
563 | entrance to the room in which the sparklers are stored, which |
564 | sign reads: "CAUTION SPARKLERS-NO SMOKING." No person shall be |
565 | in such room while in possession of a lighted cigar, cigarette, |
566 | or pipe. |
567 | Section 15. Section 791.06, Florida Statutes, is amended |
568 | to read: |
569 | 791.06 Penalties.-- |
570 | (1) Any person or organization that violates any provision |
571 | of s. 791.015, s. 791.02, s. 791.021, s. 791.04, or s. 791.041 |
572 | commits a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as |
573 | provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083. |
574 | (2) Any person or organization that commits a second or |
575 | subsequent violation of any provision of s. 791.015, s. 791.02, |
576 | s. 791.021, s. 791.04, or s. 791.041 commits a felony of the |
577 | third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, |
578 | or s. 775.084. Any firm, copartnership, or corporation violating |
579 | the provisions of this chapter shall be guilty of a misdemeanor |
580 | of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.083 or, in |
581 | the case of individuals, the members of a partnership and the |
582 | responsible officers and agents of an association or |
583 | corporation, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083. |
584 | Section 16. Section 791.061, Florida Statutes, is created |
585 | to read: |
586 | 791.061 Injunction.--In addition to the penalties and |
587 | other enforcement provisions of this chapter, if any person |
588 | engages in any activity prohibited by this chapter or violates |
589 | any provision of this chapter or any rule adopted under this |
590 | chapter, the division may resort to proceedings for injunctive |
591 | relief in the circuit court of the county in which such person |
592 | resides or has a principal place of business and therein apply |
593 | for such temporary or permanent orders as the division deems |
594 | necessary to restrain the person from engaging in any such |
595 | activities, until such person has complied with the provisions |
596 | of this chapter and such rules. |
597 | Section 17. Section 791.07, Florida Statutes, is amended |
598 | to read: |
599 | 791.07 Agricultural and fish hatchery use.-- |
600 | (1) Nothing in This chapter does not shall prohibit the |
601 | importation, purchase, sale, or use of fireworks used or to be |
602 | used solely and exclusively in frightening birds from |
603 | agricultural works and fish hatcheries; and such use shall be |
604 | governed entirely by the rules prescribed by the Department of |
605 | Agriculture and Consumer Services. |
606 | (2) Any person who is engaged in agricultural works or who |
607 | operates a fish hatchery may use fireworks solely and |
608 | exclusively for the purpose of frightening birds in order to |
609 | prevent them from doing harm to such person's agricultural works |
610 | or fish hatchery operation; however, such person must first file |
611 | with the sheriff of the county or the authority having |
612 | jurisdiction in the county in which the person is engaged in |
613 | agricultural works or the operation of a fish hatchery a sworn |
614 | affidavit in writing that he or she is engaged in agricultural |
615 | works, describing the nature of such, or that he or she operates |
616 | a fish hatchery, describing the nature of such, and desires to |
617 | use fireworks to frighten birds in order to prevent them from |
618 | harming the agricultural works or fish hatchery operation and |
619 | that fireworks will be used solely and exclusively for that |
620 | purpose. The sheriff of the county or the authority having |
621 | jurisdiction, upon determining that the sworn affidavit is |
622 | sufficient and the request is valid, shall issue a permit, on a |
623 | form provided by the division, to the applicant. The permit must |
624 | identify the applicant and the quantity of fireworks to be |
625 | purchased and possessed. A copy of the permit shall be retained |
626 | by the manufacturer, distributor, or wholesaler making the sale |
627 | as part of its recordkeeping requirement under s. 791.041, and a |
628 | copy shall be maintained by the applicant with a listing of the |
629 | fireworks covered under the permit. |
630 | (3) Falsification of any affidavit or permit provided for |
631 | in this section or providing false information in such sworn |
632 | affidavit is a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as |
633 | provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083. Falsification of any |
634 | affidavit or permit provided for in this section includes aiding |
635 | and abetting such falsification or selling fireworks when the |
636 | seller knows or has reason to believe that the permit is |
637 | falsified. |
638 | Section 18. Section 791.08, Florida Statutes, is created |
639 | to read: |
640 | 791.08 Nonpreemption.--The state does not preempt the |
641 | regulation of fireworks and sparklers as provided in this |
642 | chapter. Any authority having jurisdiction may enact any |
643 | ordinance or adopt any rule related to this chapter if such |
644 | ordinance or rule is more stringent, or provides a higher degree |
645 | of safety, than provided in this chapter. |
646 | Section 19. This act shall take effect July 1, 2005. |