101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2019 and 2020
HB4128

 

Introduced 1/22/2020, by Rep. Joe Sosnowski

 

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:
 
New Act
225 ILCS 227/5
425 ILCS 35/Act rep.

    Creates the Pyrotechnic Use Act of 2020. Provides that display fireworks shall only be offered for sale, exposed for sale, sold at retail, or kept with intent to sell, possess, use, or explode under a permit with specific requirements, a specific license, or for a specific use. Provides requirements for selling consumer fireworks. Provides that the State Fire Marshal may revoke the registration of any seller of consumer fireworks if the seller violates the requirements. Provides the requirements for use of consumer fireworks. Provides exemptions. Provides the procedure regarding the seizure and sale of fireworks that are stored and held in violation of the Act. Provides requirements for the storage of consumer fireworks and display fireworks. Defines terms. Makes conforming changes. Repeals the Pyrotechnic Use Act. Effective immediately.


LRB101 16460 CPF 65839 b

 

 

A BILL FOR

 

HB4128LRB101 16460 CPF 65839 b

1    AN ACT concerning safety.
 
2    Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
3represented in the General Assembly:
 
4    Section 1. Short title. This Act may be cited as the
5Pyrotechnic Use Act of 2020.
 
6    Section 5. Definitions. As used in this Act:
7    "Competent display operator" means a Bureau of Alcohol,
8Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives licensee who has
9participated as an assistant in at least 5 public displays of
10fireworks with overall responsibility for the operation and
11safety of a fireworks display.
12    "Consumer fireworks" means fireworks that are suitable for
13use by the public, designed primarily to produce visible
14effects by combustion, and that comply with the construction,
15chemical composition, and labeling regulations of the United
16States Consumer Product Safety Commission. "Consumer
17fireworks" also means fireworks classified as Division 1.4G
18explosives by the United States Department of Transportation
19under 16 CFR Part 1507, 27 CFR Part 555, or 49 CFR 173.56.
20"Consumer fireworks" shall not include: snake or glow worm
21pellets; smoke devices; trick noisemakers known as "party
22poppers", "booby traps", "snappers", "trick matches",
23"cigarette loads", and "auto burglar alarms"; sparklers; toy

 

 

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1pistols, toy canes, toy guns, or other devices in which paper
2or plastic caps containing twenty-five hundredths grains or
3less of explosive mixture are used, provided they are so
4constructed that the hand cannot come in contact with the cap
5when in place for the explosion; and toy pistol paper or
6plastic caps that contain less than twenty hundredths grains of
7explosive mixture; the sale and use of which shall be permitted
8at all times.
9    "Display fireworks" means pyrotechnic devices or large
10fireworks designed primarily to produce visible or audible
11effects by combustion, deflagration, or detonation. "Display
12fireworks" also means fireworks classified as Division 1.3G
13explosives by the United States Department of Transportation
14under 16 CFR Part 1507, 27 CFR Part 555, or 49 CFR 173.56.
15    "Public display of fireworks" means the use of pyrotechnic
16devices or pyrotechnic materials before a proximate audience,
17whether indoors or outdoors.
18    "Seasonal retailers" means any person, firm,
19co-partnership, nonprofit, or corporation intending to sell
20consumer fireworks between June 10 and July 7, or December 26
21and January 4 of each year or both, and shall include permanent
22businesses, temporary businesses, stores, stands, or tents.
 
23    Section 10. Legality of consumer fireworks and display
24fireworks.
25    (a) Consumer fireworks are legal for retail sale provided

 

 

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1all applicable federal and State requirements are met.
2    (b) Display fireworks are not legal for retail sale unless
3granted a permit under Section 15.
 
4    Section 15. Sale or use of display fireworks. No person,
5firm, co-partnership, nonprofit, or corporation shall offer
6for sale, expose for sale, sell at retail, keep with intent to
7sell, possess, use, or explode any display fireworks, except:
8        (a) in municipalities the chief of the fire department,
9    or the mayor or village president where there is no fire
10    department, and in counties outside of municipalities the
11    county board or the board of commissioners of the county,
12    may grant permits for supervised public displays of
13    fireworks by municipalities, fair associations, amusement
14    parks, and other organizations or groups of individuals,
15    if:
16            (1) every display is handled by a competent display
17        operator to be approved by the public official by whom
18        the permit is granted, and shall be of such character,
19        as in the opinion of the official, after proper
20        inspection, to not be hazardous to property or endanger
21        any person;
22            (2) at least one competent display operator is on
23        site during display set-up and firing and he or she
24        maintains a copy of the permit application, as signed
25        by the local authority having jurisdiction, on site and

 

 

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1        at all times the display is in place, which shall be
2        presented on demand of the State Fire Marshal or local
3        fire chief;
4            (3) permits are filed with the State Fire Marshal
5        at least 15 days in advance of the date of the display;
6        and
7            (4) any person remaining within the display area is
8        identified as licensed by the Bureau of Alcohol,
9        Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, an employee
10        thereof, or be an assistant in training to become a
11        competent display operator and is at least 18 years of
12        age;
13        (b) the sale, at wholesale, of any display fireworks
14    for permitted displays by any resident manufacturer,
15    wholesaler, dealer, or jobber, in accordance with
16    regulations of the United States Bureau of Alcohol,
17    Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives if the sale is to the
18    person holding a display permit as prescribed in subsection
19    (a);
20        (c) the sale of display fireworks in accordance with a
21    license issued by the United States Bureau of Alcohol,
22    Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives;
23        (d) the sale and use in emergency situations of
24    pyrotechnic signaling devices and distress signals for
25    marine, aviation, and highway use;
26        (e) the use of fuses and railway torpedoes by

 

 

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1    railroads;
2        (f) the sale and use of blank cartridges for use in a
3    show or theater or for signal or ceremonial purpose in
4    athletics or sports;
5        (g) the use of any pyrotechnic device by military
6    organizations; or
7        (h) the use of fireworks for agricultural purposes
8    under the direct supervision of the United States
9    Department of the Interior or any equivalent or local
10    agency.
11    Nothing in this Section shall prohibit a person, firm,
12co-partnership, nonprofit, or corporation from offering for
13sale, exposing for sale, selling at retail, keeping with intent
14to sell, possessing or using consumer fireworks as permitted by
15Section 20.
 
16    Section 20. Requirements for sale of consumer fireworks;
17revocation of registration; use of consumer fireworks.
18    (a) Consumer fireworks may be offered for sale, sold at
19retail, or kept with the intent to sell, only if the following
20requirements are met:
21        (1) any person, firm, co-partnership, nonprofit, or
22    business intending to sell consumer fireworks shall
23    register annually with the State Fire Marshal, who may
24    assess a fee of no more than $25 for each site at which
25    fireworks shall be sold. The registration requirement

 

 

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1    under this Section shall not apply to permanent business
2    establishments which are open year round and in which the
3    sale of fireworks is ancillary to the primary course of
4    business;
5        (2) permanent business establishments open year-round
6    and in which the sale of consumer fireworks is ancillary to
7    the primary course of business shall meet the criteria for
8    "seasonal retailer" or shall only be permitted to sell the
9    following consumer fireworks:
10            (i) dipped stick-sparklers or wire sparklers;
11            (ii) cylindrical fountains;
12            (iii) cone fountains;
13            (iv) illuminating torches;
14            (v) wheels;
15            (vi) ground spinners;
16            (vii) flitter sparklers; or
17            (viii) toy smoke devices;
18        (3) a seasonal retailer shall register with the State
19    Fire Marshal, who may assess a fee of no more than $250 for
20    each site at which fireworks shall be sold;
21        (4) any person, firm, co-partnership, nonprofit, or
22    corporation intending to sell consumer fireworks as the
23    primary source of business, shall register with the State
24    Fire Marshal, who may assess a fee of no more than $500 for
25    each site at which fireworks will be sold;
26        (5) the annual registration required by this Section

 

 

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1    shall be received by the State Fire Marshal at least 15
2    days prior to offering fireworks for sale at the site for
3    which the registration is intended. If the registration is
4    received less than 15 days prior to offering fireworks for
5    sale at the site for which registration is intended, an
6    additional assessment of $100 shall be added to the initial
7    fee;
8        (6) each site at which fireworks are offered for sale
9    shall have its registration certificate displayed in a
10    conspicuous location at the site;
11        (7) no person or business shall give, offer for sale,
12    or sell any consumer fireworks to any person under 18 years
13    of age; and
14        (8) no person under 18 years of age may be employed by
15    a fireworks distribution facility or manufacturing
16    facility. No person under 18 years of age shall sell
17    consumer fireworks at a consumer fireworks retail sales
18    facility registered under this Section unless the
19    individual is supervised by a parent or guardian.
20    (b) The State Fire Marshal may revoke the registration of
21any site which is in violation of a requirement of this Section
22or any other requirement provided by this Act. If the violation
23renders any property especially susceptible to fire loss, and
24there is present such hazard to human life or limb that the
25public safety imperatively requires emergency action, the
26State Fire Marshal may take that action.

 

 

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1    (c) A person lawfully possessing consumer fireworks may use
2those items if:
3        (1) he or she is at least 18 years of age;
4        (2) the fireworks are not ignited within 200 feet of
5    any structure, vehicle, or any other person; and
6        (3) use of the fireworks does not place him or her in
7    violation of any local ordinance.
 
8    Section 25. Insurance coverage. No permit shall be issued
9under this Act unless the applicant shall show proof of
10insurance as required under Section 12 of the Pyrotechnic
11Distributor and Operator Licensing Act. However, the local fire
12chief or State Fire Marshal may require a larger amount if, in
13his or her judgment, the situation requires it, conditioned for
14the payment of all damages which may be caused thereby either
15to a person or to property by reason of the permitted display,
16and arising from any acts of the licensee, his or her agents,
17employees, or subcontractors.
 
18    Section 30. Exemptions. Nothing in this Act shall prevent
19the retail sale and use of explosives or signaling flares used
20in the course of ordinary business or industry, snake or glow
21worm pellets, smoke devices, trick noisemakers known as "party
22poppers", "booby traps", "snappers", "trick matches",
23"cigarette loads", and "auto burglar alarms", sparklers, toy
24pistols, toy canes, toy guns, or other devices in which paper

 

 

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1or plastic caps containing twenty-five hundredths grains or
2less of explosive mixture are used, provided they are so
3constructed that the hand cannot come in contact with the cap
4when in place for the explosion, and toy pistol paper or
5plastic caps that contain less than twenty hundredths grains of
6explosive mixture, shells or cartridges used as ammunition in
7firearms, blank cartridges for a show or theatre, signal or
8ceremonial purposes in athletics or sports, use by military
9organizations, or the sale of any kind of fireworks provided
10the same are to be shipped by the seller directly out of the
11State.
 
12    Section 35. Seizure and sale of fireworks.
13    (a) The State Fire Marshal, or any fire department having
14jurisdiction which has been deputized to act on behalf of the
15State Fire Marshal, shall cause to be removed at the expense of
16the owner all stocks of fireworks which are stored and held in
17violation of this Act. After a period of 60 days, the seized
18fireworks may be offered for sale by closed bid to a properly
19certified fireworks wholesaler.
20    (b) After a period of 60 days, the seized fireworks may be
21offered for sale by closed bid to a properly certified
22manufacturer, distributor, or wholesaler. All seized fireworks
23or explosives with a Division 1.3G or display firework
24designation shall require the notification of the United States
25Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The State

 

 

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1Fire Marshal shall provide the owner or possessor a receipt
2containing the complete inventory of any fireworks seized
3within 5 business days of the seizure.
4    (c) Before any seized fireworks may be disposed of:
5        (1) if the owner of the seized fireworks is known to
6    the State Fire Marshal, the State Fire Marshal shall give
7    notice by registered mail or personal service to the owner
8    of the State Fire Marshal's intention to dispose of the
9    fireworks. The notice shall inform the owner of the State
10    Fire Marshal's intent. The Office of the State Fire Marshal
11    shall conduct an administrative hearing under the
12    provisions of the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act;
13    or
14        (2) if the identity of the owner of any seized
15    fireworks is not known to the State Fire Marshal, the State
16    Fire Marshal shall cause to be published, in a newspaper of
17    general circulation in the county in which the seizure was
18    made, notice of the seizure, and of the State Fire
19    Marshal's intention to dispose of the fireworks. The notice
20    shall be published once each week for 3 consecutive weeks.
21    If no person claims ownership of the fireworks within 10
22    days of the date of the last publication, the State Fire
23    Marshal may proceed with disposal of the fireworks. If the
24    owner does claim the fireworks within 10 days of the date
25    of the last publication, the Office of the State Fire
26    Marshal shall conduct an administrative hearing under the

 

 

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1    provisions of the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act.
2    (d) Nothing in this Act shall restrict a county or
3municipality from enacting ordinances that affect the sale or
4use of fireworks within its jurisdiction.
 
5    Section 40. Storage of consumer fireworks and display
6fireworks.
7    (a) The storage of consumer fireworks or display fireworks
8at retail, wholesale, storage, or manufacturing facilities
9shall be reported in writing to the State Fire Marshal and the
10local fire chief of the jurisdiction where the facilities are
11located.
12        (1) The report shall be completed by the owner or
13    lessee of the property or the supplier of the fireworks,
14    and shall include the address of the facility, the location
15    of the fireworks to be stored, a copy of the shipping bill,
16    and whether they are consumer fireworks or display
17    fireworks.
18        (2) The initial report for permanent business
19    establishments open year round shall be submitted between
20    January 1, 2021, and January 31, 2021, for existing
21    business and 15 days before storage begins for new
22    businesses. The report for permanent business
23    establishments open year round shall be updated annually
24    and upon a change in location of the stored items.
25    (b) Seasonal retailers shall submit, at least 15 days prior

 

 

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1to opening for sale each year, a report to the State Fire
2Marshal and the local fire chief of the jurisdiction
3identifying:
4        (1) the address where the sales will be taking place;
5        (2) the address where the fireworks will be stored; and
6        (3) a description of how the fireworks will be stored.
7    Only one report is due if the seasonal retailer stores the
8same product at the same location for both the June 10 through
9July 7 and December 26 through January 4 seasons.
10    (c) Failure to submit a report required under this Section
11shall be cause to cease and desist operation of the facility or
12site until the required information is properly submitted.
13Inspectors shall notify the permit holder in writing and may
14allow 24 hours to remedy the violation, unless the violation
15poses a distinct fire hazard.
 
16    Section 45. Rulemaking. The State Fire Marshal shall adopt
17such rules as may be necessary for the implementation of this
18Act.
 
19    Section 70. The Pyrotechnic Distributor and Operator
20Licensing Act is amended by changing Section 5 as follows:
 
21    (225 ILCS 227/5)
22    Sec. 5. Definitions. In this Act:
23    "1.3G fireworks" means fireworks that are used for

 

 

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1professional outdoor displays and classified as fireworks
2UN0333, UN0334, or UN0335 by the United States Department of
3Transportation under 49 C.F.R. 172.101.
4    "Assistant" means an individual supervised by a lead
5pyrotechnic operator, who assists with the safety, setup,
6discharge, and removal of a pyrotechnic display.
7    "BATFE" means the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco,
8Firearms and Explosives.
9    "Consumer fireworks" means fireworks that must comply with
10the construction, chemical composition, and labeling
11regulations of the U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission, as
12set forth in 16 C.F.R. Parts 1500 and 1507, and classified as
13fireworks UN0336 or UN0337 by the United States Department of
14Transportation under 49 C.F.R. 172.101. "Consumer fireworks"
15does not include a substance or article exempted under the
16Pyrotechnic Use Act of 2020.
17    "Cover licensor" means any pyrotechnic distributor,
18licensed under subsection (c) of Section 35 of this Act, or
19production company, licensed under subsection (c-3) of Section
2035 of this Act, under whose pyrotechnic license a touring
21pyrotechnic company and its touring lead pyrotechnic operators
22and touring technicians provide pyrotechnic displays or
23pyrotechnic services, or both, in the State.
24    "Cover licensor representative" means a licensed lead
25pyrotechnic operator, either employed by the cover licensor or
26insured as an additional named insured on the cover licensor's

 

 

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1general liability and product liability insurance, as
2applicable, who is responsible for supervising the safety and
3regulatory compliance of the touring lead pyrotechnic
4operators and touring technicians during a pyrotechnic display
5or pyrotechnic service.
6    "Display fireworks" means 1.3G explosive or special
7effects fireworks.
8    "Event employee" means an individual who works under the
9supervision of the lead pyrotechnic operator and who assists
10with the safety, setup, and removal of a pyrotechnic display,
11but does not handle live pyrotechnic materials or charged flame
12equipment.
13    "Facility" means an area being used for the conducting of a
14pyrotechnic display business, but does not include residential
15premises except for the portion of any residential premises
16that is actually used in the conduct of a pyrotechnic display
17business.
18    "Flame effect" means the detonation, ignition, or
19deflagration of flammable gases, liquids, or special materials
20to produce a thermal, physical, visual, or audible effect
21before the public, invitees, or licensees, regardless of
22whether admission is charged in accordance with NFPA 160.
23    "Lead pyrotechnic operator" means the individual with
24overall responsibility for the safety, setup, discharge, and
25supervision of a pyrotechnic display or pyrotechnic service.
26    "Office" means Office of the State Fire Marshal.

 

 

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1    "Person" means an individual, firm, corporation,
2association, partnership, company, consortium, joint venture,
3commercial entity, state, municipality, or political
4subdivision of a state or any agency, department, or
5instrumentality of the United States and any officer, agent, or
6employee of these entities.
7    "Production company" means any person in the film, digital
8and video media, television, commercial, music, or theatrical
9stage industry who provides pyrotechnic services or
10pyrotechnic display services as part of a film, digital and
11video media, television, commercial, music, or theatrical
12production in the State of Illinois.
13    "Pyrotechnic display" or "display" means the detonation,
14ignition, or deflagration of display fireworks or flame effects
15to produce a visual or audible effect of an exhibitional nature
16before the public, invitees, or licensees, regardless of
17whether admission is charged.
18    "Pyrotechnic distributor" means any person who distributes
19display fireworks for sale in the State of Illinois or provides
20them as part of a pyrotechnic display service in the State of
21Illinois or provides only pyrotechnic services.
22    "Pyrotechnic service" means the detonation, ignition, or
23deflagration of display fireworks, special effects, or flame
24effects to produce a visual or audible effect.
25    "Special effects fireworks" means pyrotechnic devices used
26for special effects by professionals in the performing arts in

 

 

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1conjunction with theatrical, musical, or other productions
2that are similar to consumer fireworks in chemical compositions
3and construction, but are not intended for consumer use and are
4not labeled as such or identified as "intended for indoor use".
5"Special effects fireworks" are classified as fireworks UN0431
6or UN0432 by the United States Department of Transportation
7under 49 C.F.R. 172.101.
8    "Touring lead pyrotechnic operator" means an individual
9employed by a touring pyrotechnic company who has overall
10responsibility for the safety, setup, discharge, and
11supervision of a pyrotechnic display or pyrotechnic service.
12    "Touring pyrotechnic company" means any person that
13performs pyrotechnic services or pyrotechnic displays in the
14State who lacks a license under subsections (c) or (c-3) of
15Section 35 of this Act.
16    "Touring technician" means an individual employed by a
17touring pyrotechnic company who is at least 18 years of age,
18who is covered by his or her employer's workers' compensation,
19product liability, and general liability policies under
20Section 35 of this Act and who, under the supervision of the
21touring lead pyrotechnic operator, assists with the safety,
22setup, discharge, and removal of a pyrotechnical display.
23(Source: P.A. 96-708, eff. 8-25-09; 97-164, eff. 1-1-12.)
 
24    (425 ILCS 35/Act rep.)
25    Section 75. The Pyrotechnic Use Act is repealed.
 

 

 

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1    Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon
2becoming law.