SB 828: Fireworks licenses and permits: disqualifying conditions: local jurisdictions.

Official summary

Legislative Counsel’s Digest (official, as of the latest version). Written by nonpartisan legislative staff; reproduced verbatim.

(1)The State Fireworks Law requires the State Fire Marshal to adopt regulations relating to fireworks as may be necessary for the protection of life and property. Existing law requires these regulations to include, among other things, provisions for the granting of licenses and permits for the manufacture, wholesale, import, export, and sale of all classes of fireworks. A violation of the State Fireworks Law or the regulations issued pursuant thereto is a misdemeanor.

This bill would require the State Fire Marshal to adopt regulations that include provisions for determining license requirements specific to importing fireworks that will not be sold within California, as provided.

(2) Existing law makes the possession of dangerous fireworks, except when the person possessing the dangerous fireworks holds and is operating within the scope of a valid license or permit, subject to various penalties depending on the amount of gross weight in possession. Existing law defines dangerous fireworks for these purposes to include, among other things, fireworks kits and fireworks examined and tested by the State Fire Marshal and determined by the State Fire Marshal to be unsafe for use by any person not specially qualified or trained in the use of fireworks. The State Fireworks Law does not apply to specified objects, including, among other things, paper caps that contain less than 0.25 grain of pyrotechnic composition per unit load.

This bill would revise and recast the definition of a fireworks kit, as provided, and expand the definition of dangerous fireworks to include any types of fireworks not examined and tested by the State Fire Marshal, excluding fireworks with a pending application for approval. This bill would repeal the above-described exemption for paper caps. By expanding the scope of a crime, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program.

(3)Existing law requires fireworks licensees seeking authorization for specified activities related to fireworks to submit a written application for a permit to the chief of the fire department or the chief fire prevention officer of the city or county, or to another issuing authority that may be designated by the governing body of the city or county, or, in the event there is no officer or person appointed within the area, to the State Fire Marshal or the State Fire Marshal’s deputy, as provided.

This bill would require applicants for a wholesaler’s, manufacturer’s, importer’s, or exporter’s license to disclose the complete street addresses of all storage facilities on their initial application, and to advise the State Fire Marshal of new, relocated, or nonoperational facilities. The bill would also require holders of those licenses to notify the Office of the State Fire Marshal and specified local entities of the complete street addresses of intended storage facilities for any fireworks. By expanding the scope of a crime, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program. The bill would subject licensees who violate that notification requirement to a fine of no less than $10,000, and would authorize the State Fire Marshal to revoke their license. The bill would require the Office of the State Fire Marshal, upon approval of an application for any of these licenses, to notify specified local entities of any storage site reported on the application.

Sponsors

Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 2

“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.

Recent official actions

1. September 27, 2026Chaptered by Secretary of State. Chapter 652, Statutes of 2026.
2. September 27, 2026Chaptered by Secretary of State. Chapter 652, Statutes of 2026.
3. September 27, 2026Chaptered by Secretary of State. Chapter 652, Statutes of 2026.
4. September 27, 2026Approved by the Governor.
5. September 27, 2026Approved by the Governor.
6. September 27, 2026Approved by the Governor.
7. September 8, 2026Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 4 p.m.
8. September 8, 2026Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 4 p.m.
9. September 8, 2026Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 4 p.m.
10. August 30, 2026Assembly amendments concurred in. (Ayes 40. Noes 0.) Ordered to engrossing and enrolling.
11. August 30, 2026Ordered to special consent calendar.
12. August 30, 2026Assembly amendments concurred in. (Ayes 40. Noes 0.) Ordered to engrossing and enrolling.