BILL ANALYSIS Ó SENATE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATION Senator Isadore Hall, III Chair 2015 - 2016 Regular Bill No: AB 467 Hearing Date: 6/9/2015 ----------------------------------------------------------------- |Author: |Chang | |-----------+-----------------------------------------------------| |Version: |6/03/2015 Amended | ----------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------ |Urgency: |No |Fiscal: |Yes | ------------------------------------------------------------------ ----------------------------------------------------------------- |Consultant:|Felipe Lopez | | | | ----------------------------------------------------------------- SUBJECT: Pyrotechnic devices: model rockets. DIGEST: This bill conforms California law to federal law by increasing the maximum legal weight of a "model rocket" from 500 to 1,500 grams. ANALYSIS: Existing law: 1)Authorizes the State Fire Marshall (SFM) to issue and renew licenses of the manufacture, import, export, sale, and use of all fireworks and pyrotechnic devices. 2)Provides that a license shall not be required for the retail sale, use, or discharge of model rocket engines. 3)Requires the SFM to classify all fireworks and pyrotechnic devices and prohibits the importation, sale, or offering for sale prior to the classification. 4)Requires all fireworks or toy propellant devices containing pyrotechnic compositions that the SFM finds come within the definition of a "model rocket" or "model rocket engine" to be classified as model rocket engines. 5)Prohibits a person from launching a model rocket from a site without first securing authorization from the authority having AB 467 (Chang) Page 2 of ? jurisdiction. 6)Defines a "model rocket" as a toy or educational device that weighs not more than 500 grams, including the engine and payload that is propelled by a model rocket engine. 7)Defines a "model rocket engine" as a commercially manufactured, nonreusable rocket propulsion device that is constructed of nonmetallic casing and solid propellant, as provided. This bill: 1)Adds to the definition of "model rocket" a requirement that it conforms to the definition of "model rocket" as used in the 2013 edition of the "NFPA 1122: Code for model Rocketry," or a more recent edition as adopted by the SMF, and would increase the maximum weight of a model rocket to not more than 1,500 grams. 2)Revises the definition of "model rocket motor" as used in the 2012 edition of the "NFPA 1125: Code for the Manufacture of Model Rocket and High Power Rocket Motors," or a more recent edition as adopted by the SFM. 3)Changes all reference in statute to model rocket engines to instead refer to model rocket motors. Background Purposes of the bill. According to the author, current law imposes handling restrictions based on standard rocket technology uses at the time California law was enacted in the 1970s. Unfortunately these provisions limit the use of reloadable motors which have been used for over two decades. The author further argues that all these restrictions put limitations on the learning experience of California youth who use model rockets and put California students who participate in national model rocket competitions at a severe disadvantage since they have constraints on their rockets that don't apply to students in other states. The author concludes that as the home of an important aerospace industry, California's laws should be encouraging this important AB 467 (Chang) Page 3 of ? hobby. National Fire Prevention Association (NFPA). The NFPA was established in 1896 to reduce the worldwide burden of fire and other hazards on the quality of life by providing and advocating consensus codes and standards, research, training, and education. The NFPA develops and publishes more than 300 consensus codes and standards intended to minimize the possibility and effects of fire and other risks. Some of these publications establish requirements for safety in the manufacture of model and high power rocket motors, and ensures reliability of rocket motors and motor-reloading kits and their components. NFPA's manufacturing operations rules for rocket motors and composite propellant rocket motors cover everything from permits, recordkeeping, and site security to process building construction, means of egress, and fire and explosion prevention. Additional topics include storage of low explosives, requirements for rocket motors and components, and testing and certification. NFPA regulations are the standard regulations used for most states and for federal law regarding model rocket and model rocket motors. Prior/Related Legislation SB 777 (Calderon, 2015) authorizes, beginning January 1, 2017, the sale of safe and sane fireworks during the week preceding New Year's Day and makes numerous changes to the state laws governing fireworks sales and disposals. (Failed Passage in the Senate Governmental Organization Committee) FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: No Fiscal Com.: Yes Local: No SUPPORT: Diego Area Rocket Team Mavericks Civilian Space Foundation National Association of Rocketry RCS Rocket Motor Components, Inc. Southern California Rocketry Association 40 members of the Tripoli Rocketry Association AB 467 (Chang) Page 4 of ? OPPOSITION: None received ARGUMENTS IN SUPPORT: According to the Mavericks Civilian Space Foundation, "current California law governing model rockets is outdated and not aligned with modern rocketry. Archaic model rocket laws are putting kids and teens at a disadvantage in national competitions as well as discouraging others from participating in an important learning experience with science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) fundamentals." The National Association of Rocketry states that "federal law, most states, and the National Fire Protection Association define a model rocket as an amateur or toy rocket that weighs no more than 1500 grams. California law limits rockets to only 500 grams and applies restrictions to the composition of the rocket, including a ban on any metallic materials. However, model rockets have been universally defined as 1500 grams for years and often include lightweight aluminum materials. As California, especially the southern California area, is the home of a large and important Aerospace industry, California's laws should be encouraging this important hobby and AB 467 will do just that."