- Primary Sponsor
- 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
SB55 redesignates common fireworks as consumer fireworks, expands state regulation and fees for manufacturing, sale, and display of fireworks, creates a dedicated State Fire Marshal's Fund, and routes a 5% of permit fees to the Alabama Firefighters Annuity and Benefit Fund, with CPI-adjusted fee increases.
What This Bill Does
It changes the naming and regulation of fireworks to cover consumer fireworks and outlines permit requirements for manufacturers, distributors, wholesalers, retailers, seasonal retailers, and display operations. It increases various license and display fees, establishes how those fees are paid into the State Fire Marshal's Fund, and allows periodic increases tied to the Consumer Price Index. It creates a dedicated fund (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, with retroactive effect and an effective date 60 days after governor approval.
Who It Affects
- Fireworks-related businesses in Alabama (manufacturers, distributors, wholesalers, retailers, and seasonal retailers) who must obtain permits, pay higher CPI-adjusted fees, and follow new sale and labeling rules.
- The Alabama Firefighters Annuity and Benefit Fund and the State Fire Marshal's Office, which will receive 5% transfers of permit fees and use the funds to operate, enforce regulations, train, and support fire safety programs.
Key Provisions
- Redesignates common fireworks as consumer fireworks and broadens regulation of consumer fireworks under the State Fire Marshal.
- Imposes permit requirements for manufacturers, distributors, wholesalers, annual retailers, seasonal retailers, and display operators; permits are nontransferable and must be displayed at the business location; mail-order sales to Alabama are prohibited.
- Establishes a detailed fee schedule: Manufacturer and Distributor permits typically $2,000-$3,000; Wholesaler permits $700-$1,000; Retailer permits $200 base with location-based tiers for aerial devices, sparkling devices, audible ground devices, and novelties; Seasonal Retailer permits $200 (with higher fees for more restricted device types); Display permits with separate application fees ($50-$150 depending on timing).
- Permits and fees may be increased every five years according to the Consumer Price Index, with a cap of no more than 2% per year.
- Creates the State Fire Marshal's Fund (36-19-31) to hold all permit fees, penalties, grants, and appropriations; funds are used for administration, enforcement, training, and fire safety programs, with balances carrying forward and not lapsing to the General Fund.
- Requires compliance with NFPA standards (1123 for displays and 1126 for use of pyrotechnics before a proximate audience) and imposes labeling and nomenclature requirements for shipments and articles.
- Transfers five percent of the State Fire Marshal’s permit fees to the Alabama Firefighters Annuity and Benefit Fund on a semiannual basis.
- Authorized local municipalities to enact stricter restrictions on sparkling devices or novelties, with the State Fire Marshal maintaining a list of such municipalities.
- The act becomes effective 60 days after governor approval and includes retroactive provisions related to the new funding framework.
AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 23, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.
- Subjects
- Fireworks
