Raised Bill No. 132 Summary

• Authorizes the sale and use of consumer fireworks in Connecticut effective October 1, 2022, while maintaining prohibitions on other fireworks and explosives.

• Establishes licensing requirements for consumer fireworks retailers: applicants must be at least 21 years old, hold a valid federal fireworks license, have no felony convictions, maintain $2 million liability insurance, with annual license fees of $5,000 (initial) or $2,500 (renewal) and temporary license fees of $250.

• Permits persons 21 and older to purchase and use consumer fireworks only between 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. daily, plus 11 p.m. to midnight on December 31st and the first hour of New Year's Day, with property owner permission and prohibition on use while under the influence.

• Persons 16 and older may purchase, possess and use sparklers and fountains not exceeding 100 grams of pyrotechnic mixture, which must be nonexplosive and meet specific chemical composition restrictions.

• Imposes a 5 percent tax on the first sale of consumer fireworks at wholesale, allows municipalities to impose additional restrictions through local ordinance, and establishes criminal penalties ranging from class C misdemeanor to class C felony depending on violation severity.