Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Texas House Bill HB3787 Compare Versions

Only one version of the bill is available at this time.
OldNewDifferences
11 89R9290 JTZ-F
22 By: Lujan H.B. No. 3787
33
44
55
66
77 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
88 AN ACT
99 relating to the sale and distribution of counterfeit or unsafe
1010 lighters; imposing a civil penalty.
1111 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
1212 SECTION 1. Subtitle C, Title 9, Health and Safety Code, is
1313 amended by adding Chapter 798 to read as follows:
1414 CHAPTER 798. COUNTERFEIT AND UNSAFE LIGHTERS
1515 Sec. 798.001. DEFINITIONS. In this chapter:
1616 (1) "Counterfeit lighter" means a lighter made as an
1717 imitation of a brand name lighter in violation of the intellectual
1818 property laws of this state or of the United States.
1919 (2) "Lighter" means any device that:
2020 (A) operates using an electrical current or
2121 striking mechanism and any type of hydrocarbon fuel, such as
2222 benzene, butane, or naphtha; and
2323 (B) produces a small flame for the purpose of
2424 igniting a cigarette, cigar, pipe, fireplace, charcoal or gas
2525 grill, or other apparatus.
2626 (3) "Unsafe lighter" means:
2727 (A) any disposable or refillable lighter that is
2828 not in compliance with each applicable provision of the American
2929 Society for Testing and Materials Standard F400-20, "Standard
3030 Consumer Safety Specification for Lighters," as it existed on
3131 January 1, 2025; or
3232 (B) any grill or utility lighter that is not in
3333 compliance with each applicable provision of the American Society
3434 for Testing and Materials Standard F2201-20, "Standard Consumer
3535 Safety Specification for Utility Lighters," as it existed on
3636 January 1, 2025.
3737 Sec. 798.002. PROHIBITED SALE AND DISTRIBUTION OF
3838 COUNTERFEIT LIGHTERS AND UNSAFE LIGHTERS. A person may not sell,
3939 distribute, or offer for sale in this state any counterfeit lighter
4040 or unsafe lighter, including by:
4141 (1) providing free samples; or
4242 (2) engaging in wholesale, retail, in-person, or
4343 online sales.
4444 Sec. 798.003. EXCEPTION FOR INTERSTATE TRANSPORTATION AND
4545 STORAGE OF LIGHTERS. This chapter does not prohibit:
4646 (1) interstate transportation of counterfeit lighters
4747 or unsafe lighters through this state; or
4848 (2) the storage of counterfeit lighters or unsafe
4949 lighters in a distribution center or warehouse located in this
5050 state, provided the distribution center or warehouse is closed to
5151 the public and does not sell or distribute the lighters to persons
5252 in this state.
5353 Sec. 798.004. RULES. The state fire marshal shall adopt
5454 rules to administer this chapter.
5555 Sec. 798.005. INSPECTION. The state fire marshal may
5656 inspect the records and lighters in the possession of a person who
5757 manufactures, stores, or sells the lighters to verify compliance
5858 with this chapter.
5959 Sec. 798.006. CIVIL PENALTY; INJUNCTION. (a) A person who
6060 knowingly violates this chapter or a rule adopted under this
6161 chapter is subject to a civil penalty as follows:
6262 (1) for a manufacturer, wholesale dealer, or agent who
6363 knowingly sells or offers to sell a counterfeit lighter or unsafe
6464 lighter in violation of this chapter, a civil penalty not to exceed
6565 $100 for each counterfeit or unsafe lighter sold or offered for
6666 sale, but not more than $100,000 for all violations occurring
6767 within a 30-day period;
6868 (2) for a retailer who knowingly sells or offers to
6969 sell a counterfeit lighter or unsafe lighter in violation of this
7070 chapter, a civil penalty not to exceed $100 for each counterfeit or
7171 unsafe lighter sold or offered for sale, but not more than $25,000
7272 for all violations occurring within a 30-day period; and
7373 (3) for a person who otherwise violates this chapter
7474 or a rule or order adopted under this chapter, a civil penalty not
7575 to exceed $1,000 for the first violation or $5,000 for each
7676 subsequent violation.
7777 (b) If it appears a person has violated, is violating, or is
7878 threatening to violate this chapter or a rule or order adopted under
7979 this chapter, the attorney general, as determined by the attorney
8080 general or on request of the state fire marshal, may bring a civil
8181 action in a district court for:
8282 (1) injunctive relief to restrain the person from
8383 continuing the violation or threat of violation;
8484 (2) the assessment of a civil penalty; or
8585 (3) both injunctive relief and a civil penalty.
8686 SECTION 2. As soon as practicable after the effective date
8787 of this Act, the state fire marshal shall adopt rules necessary to
8888 implement the changes in law made by this Act.
8989 SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.