HB205 Alabama 2021 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Kerry Rich

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2021

Title

Fireworks, State Fire Marshal, fees for manufacturing, sale, display, increased, common fireworks, redesignated consumer fireworks, authorized to be sold at retail, preemption of co. and mun ordinances or laws, fees increased based on increases in Consumer Price Index (CPI), transfer of funds to Firefighter Annuity and Benefit Fund, Sec. 36-19-31 added; Secs. 8-17-210, 8-17-211, 8-17-216.1, 8-17-217, 8-17-218, 8-17-219, 8-17-220, 8-17-225, 8-17-226, 8-17-237, 8-17-255, 34-33-11, 34-33A-12, 36-19-29 am'd.

Summary

HB205 redesignates common fireworks as consumer fireworks, increases State Fire Marshal permit fees, creates a dedicated Fire Marshal Fund, and directs a CPI-based fee system with a 5% semiannual transfer to the Alabama Firefighters Annuity and Benefit Fund, while preempting local ordinances for these items.

What This Bill Does

The bill changes the terminology and definitions for fireworks (consumer fireworks, sparkling devices, and novelties) and prevents cities or counties from conflicting with these regulations. It raises permit fees for manufacturers, distributors, wholesalers, retailers, seasonal retailers, and display permits, and sets per-location charges for certain items. It creates the State Fire Marshal's Fund to support administration, enforcement, training, and safety programs, and requires a semiannual transfer of 5% of permit fees to the Alabama Firefighters Annuity and Benefit Fund. It also allows fee increases tied to the Consumer Price Index, with caps, and provides retroactive effect for these changes.

Who It Affects

• State Fire Marshal's Office and the Alabama Firefighters Annuity and Benefit Fund will collect higher permit fees, manage the new State Fire Marshal's Fund, and receive a 5% semiannual transfer of permit fees.
• Fireworks industry participants in Alabama—manufacturers, distributors, wholesalers, retailers, seasonal retailers, and display operators—will face higher and new permitting requirements, revised fee schedules, and state-level regulation with reduced local ordinance conflicts.

Key Provisions

• Redesignates common fireworks as consumer fireworks and defines sparkling devices and novelties; city and county ordinances may not conflict with regulation of these items.
• Increases permit fees: Manufacturer and Distributor from $2,000 to $3,000; Wholesaler from $700 to $1,000; Retailer base $200 with per-location charges (e.g., $300 for aerial devices, sparkling devices, audible devices, and novelties; $150 for only sparkling devices and novelties; $100 for only novelties); Seasonal Retailer base $200 with similar per-location scales; Display permits with separate fees.
• Creates and funds the State Fire Marshal's Fund (36-19-31) for the operations, enforcement, training, and safety programs of the Fire Marshal's Office; unspent balances carry forward.
• Implements a semiannual transfer of 5% of permit fees collected to the Alabama Firefighters Annuity and Benefit Fund.
• Allows fee increases at intervals based on the Consumer Price Index, with increases not to exceed 2% per year and applicable retroactively.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 22, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Fireworks