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Senate committee advances bill to require storage‑permit verification after Esparto fireworks blast
Summary
Sen. Cabaldon’s SB 828 would require state fireworks‑license applicants to disclose storage addresses and prove local land‑use permits, aiming to close gaps highlighted by a deadly explosion in Esparto; committee referred the bill to Appropriations.
Sen. Dave Cabaldon introduced SB 828 on the committee floor seeking to close what he called a “dangerous” gap between state fireworks licensure and local land‑use oversight after a deadly explosion in Esparto. Cabaldon said the bill would require applicants for a state fireworks license to disclose all storage facility addresses and provide proof of the local permits that allow storage, rather than relying on self‑certification.
“Last June, seven of my constituents in Esparto died in a massive fireworks explosion that never should have happened,” Cabaldon said, arguing the tragedy exposed mismatches between the State Fire Marshal’s licensing and local permitting systems. He said investigators found seizures of illegal fireworks and explosive chemical constituents in other jurisdictions and that “state and local agencies must work together and not in silos.”
Steve Aubert, introduced by the author as deputy fire marshal for the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District, and representatives of the California Fire Chiefs Association and Fire Districts Association supported the bill. A coalition witness said SB 828 would strengthen notification and coordination after fireworks shipments and give fire prevention bureaus information needed to plan inspections and emergency responses.
Industry and local government witnesses provided mixed reactions. Dennis Rivel, representing TNT Fireworks, registered support; Mark Neuberger, speaking for the California State Association of Counties and RCRC, said the groups had concerns about liability language and sought more discussions with the sponsor’s office.
Committee members asked whether the bill primarily targeted illegal operators or would affect temporary storage for lawful display contractors. Cabaldon and witnesses said the focus is on high‑hazard storage used by illegal suppliers and on creating verifiable links between state licenses and local permits so communities and first responders are aware of hazardous storage locations.
Sen. Choi moved SB 828; the committee voted to pass the bill to the committee on appropriations. The committee later recorded the measure as reported out of the Senate Committee on Local Government.
