Fireworks: dangerous fireworks: seizure: management.
One significant change brought about by AB 2740 is the reduction of the percentage of fines collected from local jurisdictions related to dangerous fireworks, from 65% to 25% being forwarded to the State Fire Marshal Fireworks Enforcement and Disposal Fund. This reduction may impact local entities' revenue streams and their capacity to manage overall enforcement and safety measures. Furthermore, local jurisdictions are encouraged to adopt streamlined enforcement procedures through ordinances, allowing them to handle incidents involving the possession of 25 pounds or less of dangerous fireworks more effectively. This policy shift can lead to more localized control over fireworks regulation while ensuring compliance with state mandates.
Assembly Bill 2740, introduced by Assembly Member Carrillo, focuses on the regulation of dangerous fireworks in the state of California. The bill seeks to expand the definition of what constitutes dangerous fireworks to include those containing lead and hexachlorobenzene. This expansion is intended to enhance public safety by prohibiting the possession of more hazardous materials, emphasizing the need for stricter oversight within the context of local control and statewide regulations. The bill mandates the State Fire Marshal to begin tracking containers of dangerous fireworks entering California ports, thereby ensuring accountability and compliance with safety regulations in the industry.
Despite its intentions, the bill has sparked contention among various stakeholders regarding the implications of shifting enforcement and cost responsibilities from state to local authorities. Critics argue that the changes might overwhelm local jurisdictions not equipped financially or structurally to handle an increase in seizures and related administrative processes. Additionally, the removal of mandated model ordinances that had guided local enforcement may lead to inconsistency across jurisdictions. The balancing act between state control and local autonomy remains a point of debate, as both the safety of citizens and the regulatory clarity for fireworks importers and suppliers form the crux of the discussion surrounding AB 2740.