Connecticut 2026 Session Status: In Committee

SB 404 — AN ACT CONCERNING FIREWORKS, FOUNTAINS AND NOVELTIES.

Last action — FILE NO. 302

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  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. 2
    In Committee
  3. 3
    Passed Senate
  4. 4
    Passed House
  5. 5
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill is in committee in the Senate. Introduced March 04, 2026. It must pass committee before a floor vote.

Next likely step: a committee vote, then a floor vote in the Senate.

Prognosis

Not enough signal yet

Where this bill stands today.

Odds of enactment

Low

How often bills like it became law.

Not enough signal yet to read this bill's trajectory — we surface a likelihood only once there's real movement (stage, sponsorship, committee, or votes) to point to.

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Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

280 added · 31 removed

Plain-language change summary

The recent changes to Bill SB 404 include the addition of a Fiscal Impact Statement and Bill Analysis, which will provide more detailed information on the potential financial implications and the intentions behind the legislation. These additions are important because they help members of the General Assembly better understand how the bill could affect state finances and inform their decision-making process. This clarity can lead to more transparent discussions and ultimately, more informed policy decisions.

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Previous
Latest
General Assembly Raised Bill No.
Senate General Assembly File No.
404 February Session, 2026 LCO No.
302 February Session, 2026 Substitute Senate Bill No.
2608 Referred to Committee on PUBLIC SAFETY AND SECURITY Introduced by:
404 Senate, April 1, 2026 The Committee on Public Safety and Security reported through SEN.
(PS) AN ACT REQUIRING A STUDY OF STATUTES AND REGULATIONS RELATING TO FIREWORKS.
GASTON of the 23rd Dist., Chairperson of the Committee on the part of the Senate, that the substitute bill ought to pass.
AN ACT CONCERNING FIREWORKS, FOUNTAINS AND NOVELTIES.
(Effective from passage) The Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection shall conduct a study of the general statutes and regulations of Connecticut state agencies relating to fireworks to determine whether any revisions to such statutes or regulations are necessary.
Section 29-356 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2026):
Not later than January 1, 2027, the commissioner shall submit a report concerning the results of such study and any recommendations, including recommendations for any legislative action, to the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to public safety and security, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a of the general statutes.
As used in this section and sections [29-356] 29-357 to 29-365, inclusive, as amended by this act:
(1) "Fireworks" means and includes any combustible or explosive composition, or any substance or combination of substances or article prepared for the purpose of producing a visible or an audible effect by combustion, explosion, deflagration or detonation, and includes blank cartridges, toy pistols, toy cannons, toy canes or toy guns in which explosives are used, the type of balloons which require fire underneath to propel the same, firecrackers, torpedoes, skyrockets, Roman candles, Daygo bombs, and any fireworks containing any explosive or flammable compound, or any tablets or other device containing any explosive substance, except that the term "fireworks" shall not include sSB404 / File No.
302 1 sSB404 File No.
302 sparklers, [and] fountains, novelties and toy pistols, toy canes, toy guns or other devices in which paper caps manufactured in accordance with the regulations of the United States Interstate Commerce Commission or its successor agency for packing and shipping of toy paper caps are used and toy pistol paper caps manufactured as provided [therein] in such regulations.
(2) "Sparklers" means a wire or stick coated with pyrotechnic composition that produces a shower of sparks upon ignition.
(3) "Fountain" means any cardboard or heavy paper cone or cylindrical tube containing pyrotechnic mixture that upon ignition produces a shower of colored sparks, crackling effects, whistling effects or smoke.
"Fountain" includes, but is not limited to, (A) aspike fountain, which provides a spike for insertion into the ground, (B) a base fountain which has a wooden or plastic base for placing on the ground, [or] (C) a handle fountain which is a handheld device with a wooden or cardboard handle, or (D) any nonexplosive and nonaerial item that produces the primary effect of spinning on the ground, flashing or strobing, but does not produce a report.
(4) "Novelties" means flitter sparklers, party poppers, novelty smoke devices, snappers and novelty snakes, as such terms are described in American Pyrotechnics Association Standard 87-1A, as amended from time to time.
Sec.
2.
Section 29-357 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2026):
(a) Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, no person, firm or corporation shall offer for sale, expose for sale, sell at retail or use or explode or possess with intent to sell, use or explode any fireworks.
A person who is sixteen years of age or older may offer for sale, expose for sale, sell at retail, purchase, use or possess with intent to sell or use sparklers, [or] fountains or novelties of not more than one hundred grams of pyrotechnic mixture per item, which are nonexplosive andnonaerial,provided(1)suchsparklers [andfountains] sSB404 / File No.
302 2 sSB404 File No.
302 do not contain magnesium, except for magnalium or magnesium- aluminum alloy, (2) such sparklers [and fountains] containing any chlorate or perchlorate salts do not exceed five grams of composition per item,and(3)whenmorethanonefountainismountedonacommon base, the total pyrotechnic composition does not exceed [two] five hundred grams.
(b) The Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection shall adopt [reasonable] regulations, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, for the granting of permits for supervised displays of fireworks or for the indoor use of pyrotechnics, sparklers and fountains for special effects by municipalities, fair associations, amusement parks, other organizations or groups of individuals or artisans in pursuit of their trade.
Such permit may be issued upon application to said commissioner and after (1) inspection of the site of such display or use by the local fire marshal to determine compliance with the requirements of such regulations, and (2) approval of the chiefs of the police and fire departments, or, if there is no police or fire department, of the first selectman, of the municipality wherein the display is to be held as is provided in this section.
No such display shall be handled or fired by any person until such person has been granted a certificate of competency by the Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection, in respect to which a fee of two hundred dollars shall be payable to the State Treasurer when issued and which may be renewed every three years upon payment of a fee of one hundred ninety dollars payable to the State Treasurer, provided such certificate may be suspended or revoked by said commissioner at any time for cause.
Such certificate of competency shall attest to the fact that such operator is competent to fire a display.
Such display shall be of such a character and so located, discharged or firedasintheopinionofthechiefsofthepolice andfire departmentsor such selectman,after proper inspection,will not be hazardous to property or endanger any person or persons.
In an aerial bomb, no salute, report or maroon may be used that is composed of a formula of chlorate of potash, sulphur, black needle antimony and dark aluminum.
Formulas that may be used in a salute, report or maroon are as follows:
(A) Perchlorate of potash, black needle antimony sSB404 / File No.
302 3 sSB404 File No.
302 and dark aluminum, and (B) perchlorate of potash, dark aluminum and sulphur.
No high explosive such as dynamite, fulminate of mercury or other stimulator for detonating shall be used in any aerial bomb or other pyrotechnics.
Application for permits shall be made in writing at least fifteen days prior to the date of display, on such notice as the Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection by regulation prescribes, on forms furnished by the commissioner, and a fee of one hundred dollars shall be payable to the State Treasurer with each such application.
After such permit has been granted, sales, possession, use and distribution of fireworks for such display shall be lawful for that purpose only.
No permit granted [hereunder] under the provisions of this section shall be transferable.
Any permit issued under the provisions of this section may be suspended or revoked by the Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection or the local fire marshal for violation by the permittee of any provision of the general statutes, any regulation or any ordinance relating to fireworks.
(c) The Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection may grant variations or exemptions from, or approve equivalent or alternate compliance with, particular provisions of any regulation issued under the provisions of subsection (b) of this section where strict compliance with such provisions would entail practical difficulty or unnecessary hardship or is otherwise adjudged unwarranted, provided any such variation, exemption, approved equivalent or alternate compliance shall, in the opinion of the commissioner, secure the public safety and shall be made in writing.
(d) Any person, firm or corporation violating the provisions of this section shall be guilty of a class C misdemeanor, except that (1) any person, firm or corporation violating the provisions of subsection (a) of this section by offering for sale, exposing for sale or selling at retail or possessing with intent to sell any fireworks with a value exceeding ten thousand dollars shall be guilty of a class A misdemeanor, and (2) any person, firm or corporation violating any provision of subsection (b) of this section or any regulation adopted [thereunder] pursuant to said subsection shall be guilty of a class A misdemeanor, except if death or sSB404 / File No.
302 4 sSB404 File No.
302 injury results from any such violation, such person, firm or corporation shall be guilty of a class C felony.
Show all 91 changed rows (51 more)
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Section 1 from passage New section LCO No.
Section 1 October 1, 2026 29-356 Sec.
2608 1 of 2 Raised Bill No.
2 October 1, 2026 29-357 PS Joint Favorable Subst.
404 Statement of Purpose:
sSB404 / File No.
To require the Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection to conduct a study of the general statutes and regulations of Connecticut state agencies relating to fireworks to determine whether any revisions to such statutes or regulations are necessary and to submit a report concerning the results of such study.
302 5 sSB404 File No.
[Proposed deletions are enclosed in brackets.
302 The following Fiscal Impact Statement and Bill Analysis are prepared for the benefit of the members of the General Assembly, solely for purposes of information, summarization and explanation and do not represent the intent of the General Assembly or either chamber thereof for any purpose.
Proposed additions are indicated by underline, except that when the entire text of a bill or resolution or a section of a bill or resolution is new, it is not underlined.] LCO No.
In general, fiscal impacts are based upon a variety of informational sources, including the analyst’s professional knowledge.
2608 2 of 2
Whenever applicable, agency data is consulted as part of the analysis, however final products do not necessarily reflect an assessment from any specific department.
OFA Fiscal Note State Impact:
Agency Affected Fund-Effect FY 27 $ FY 28 $ Department of Revenue Services Various - Up to Up to Revenue Gain 100,000 100,000 Judicial Dept.
(Probation) GF - Potential Minimal Minimal Savings Resources of the General Fund GF - Potential Minimal Minimal Revenue Loss Note:
GF=General Fund;
Various=Various Municipal Impact:
None Explanation The bill results in a sales tax revenue gain of up to $100,000 annually by expanding the type of fireworks that may be sold in the state to include certain types of fountains and novelties.
The bill also results in a potential savings to the Judicial Department and a potential revenue loss from fines to the extent the bill results in a decrease in illegal activity related to fireworks.
On average, the marginal savings to the state for a reduction of supervision in the community is less than $600 each year for adults and $450 each year for juveniles.
2 1Between FY 22 and FY 25, 139 offenses were recorded under CGS § 29-357 and $1,550 was collected in fines.
Probation marginal cost is based on services provided by private providers and only includes costs that increase with each additional participant.
This does not include a cost for additional supervision by a probation officer unless a new offense is sSB404 / File No.
302 6 sSB404 File No.
302 The Out Years The annualized ongoing sales tax revenue impact identified above would continue into the future subject to inflation.
The annualized ongoing fiscal impact associated with fines would continue into the future subject to violations.
anticipated to result in enough additional offenders to require additional probation officers.
sSB404 / File No.
302 7 sSB404 File No.
302 OLR Bill Analysis sSB 404 AN ACT CONCERNING FIREWORKS, FOUNTAINS AND NOVELTIES.
SUMMARY In Connecticut, fireworks are generally illegal unless they are specifically permitted by law;
or a municipality, fair association, amusement park, or tradeorganizationorgrouphasafireworksdisplay permit from the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection commissioner.
Current law allows anyone age 16 or older to offerorexposeforsale,sellatretail,purchase,use,orpossesswithintent to sell or use certain sparklers and fountains (collectively “legal fireworks” for the purposes of this bill analysis).
This bill (1) increases and changes the types and allowable composition of fountains and (2) expands legal fireworks to include specific types of novelties allowed under federal law.
As under existing law for most violations of the state fireworks laws, a violation under the bill is a class C misdemeanor punishable by up to three months in prison, a fine of up to $500, or both.
Lastly, the bill also makes technical and conforming changes.
EFFECTIVE DATE:
October 1, 2026 FOUNTAINS By law, a “fountain” is generally any cardboard or heavy paper cone or cylindrical tube containing pyrotechnic mixture that produces a shower of colored sparks or smoke when ignited.
The bill broadens this definition to include any (1) cardboard or heavy paper cone or cylindrical tube containing pyrotechnic mixture that produces crackling or whistling effects and (2) nonexplosive and nonaerial item that sSB404 / File No.
302 8 sSB404 File No.
302 produces the primary effect of spinning on the ground, flashing, or strobing, but does not produce a report (component of an aerial display shell or mine).
To be legal for general consumer use under current law, fountains must be non-explosive, non-aerial, and cannot contain (1) magnesium, except for magnaliumor magnesium-aluminumalloy;
(2)more than100 grams of pyrotechnic mixture per item;
and (3) more than five grams of chlorate or perchlorate salts per item.
If more than one fountain is mounted on a common base, the total pyrotechnic composition cannot exceed 200 grams.
For these fountains, the bill (1) eliminates the prohibition on them containing magnesium, (2) removes the limitation onthemhaving more than five gramsof chlorate or perchlorate salts per item, and (3) increases the maximum total pyrotechnic composition amount when more than one is mounted on a common base from 200 to grams.
NOVELTIES The bill allows people ages 16 or older to offer or expose for sale, sell at retail, purchase, use, or possess with intent to sell or use novelties with not more than 100 grams of pyrotechnic mixture per item, which are nonexplosive and nonaerial.
“Novelties” are flitter sparklers, party poppers, novelty smoke devices, snappers, and novelty snakes as described in a federally adopted standard (i.e., currently, the American Pyrotechnics Association (APA) Standard 87-1A (2018)).
These devices have basic descriptions as well as general and specific characteristic requirements.
The table below shows a brief description for each of the devices legalized under the bill.
Table:
Novelties Group Device Brief Description Ground Devices, Flitter Sparkler A paper or cardboard tube Individual attached to a stick or wire that produces a shower of sparks, colored flame, or crackling (APA Standard 87-1A effect § 3.2.2 (2018)) sSB404 / File No.
302 9 sSB404 File No.
302 Group Device Brief Description Novelties A device that is activated by friction where pulling the string or trigger activates the device (APA Standard 87-1A Party Popper producing a noise effect and § 3.2.1 (2018)) releasing paper streamers or confetti A device in the form of a pressed pellet of chemical composition that upon burning Novelty Snake produces a snake-like ash that expands in length as the pellet burns A paper or plastic wrapped device that contains silver fulminate coated on small bits Snapper of sand or gravel and is activated when dropped, producing a noise effect A device that produces only Novelty Smoke Device smoke Applicable general requirements include that these devices must not leak pyrotechnic composition during transportation and handling, and one example of a specific characteristic requirement is that the maximum composition weight allowed for flitter sparklers is five grams in a finished device (see APA Standard 87-1A §§ 2.4 and 3.2.2.7 (2018)).
COMMITTEE ACTION Public Safety and Security Committee Joint Favorable Substitute Yea 18 Nay 11 (03/17/2026) sSB404 / File No.
302 10
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Action History

  1. FILE NO. 302

  2. SENATE CALENDAR NUMBER 212

  3. FAV. RPT., TAB. FOR CAL., SEN.

  4. RPTD. OUT OF LCO

  5. REFERRED TO Office of Legislative Research AND Office of Fiscal Analysis 03/31/26

  6. FILED WITH LCO

  7. Joint Favorable Substitute

  8. PUBLIC HEARING 0312

  9. REF. TO JOINT COMM. ON Public Safety and Security

Sponsorship breakdown

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0 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 187 not signed on

Sponsors (0)

None.

Co-sponsors (0)

None.

Not signed on (187)

187 members have not signed on to this bill.

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"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Subjects

public-safety
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This bill is in committee in the Senate. Introduced March 04, 2026. It must pass committee before a floor vote.
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