00:01A loud and colourful tradition, but one that has long sparked national debate.
00:07Now government says it's time to bring order to fireworks use in Trinidad and Tobago.
00:13Tomorrow, members of parliament will debate the Summary Offences Amendment Bill 2025,
00:19which rewrites the country's fireworks rules from the ground up.
00:23Under the proposed law, no one will be allowed to discharge fireworks
00:27without a permit issued by the Commission of Police.
00:31The definition, fireworks, includes noise-reducing fireworks.
00:36Permits would list the type of fireworks, the quantity and the exact location and time they can be used.
00:44And these permits would only be issued to persons 18 years and older.
00:48Once a permit is approved, the user must also notify the fire services 14 days in advance,
00:54giving full details of the planned display.
00:57But the bill goes even further.
00:59It bans fireworks within half a mile of sensitive areas,
01:03including public and private hospitals, airports, zoos, farms, registered animal shelters, forest reserves and national parks.
01:13Fireworks would also be prohibited from being discharged onto streets, houses or vehicles
01:18and must not be used in ways that endanger people, animals or property.
01:24Children may only use toy fireworks and only under the direct supervision of an adult.
01:30There are a few exceptions.
01:32On public holidays, fireworks can be discharged without a permit, but only between 8pm and 9pm.
01:39And on old years' night from 11.30pm to 12.30am.
01:44Outside of those times, a permit is mandatory.
01:48The bill also introduces a fixed penalty system for breaches.
01:52Police officers would be empowered to issue on-the-spot tickets within 14 days to pay the fine.
01:58Failure to pay will automatically trigger a court summons.
02:02A fixed penalty is $1,000 but can be amended by the minister or subject to the negative resolution of parliament.
02:10Persons who believe they were wrongly ticketed may contest the fixed penalty before the district criminal and traffic court.
02:18There are also key updates to the Evidence Act,
02:22allowing cell phone and smart device video recordings to be admissible as evidence,
02:27making it easier for authorities to prosecute offences captured on camera.
02:31The government says the bill balances cultural practices with public safety, animal welfare and environmental protection.
02:39But the debate tomorrow is expected to draw strong views from both sides of the House
02:45and from citizens who have long called for tighter control of fireworks.
02:50If passed, the new system would mark the biggest reform to fireworks regulation in decades.
02:56Parliament debates the bill from 1.30pm tomorrow.
03:01Parliament debates the bill received.
03:06The new system will be made on camera.
03:09The new system 설정 should be made on camera.
03:11Parliament debates the bill at 1.30pm tomorrow.
03:13Parliament debates the bill at 1.30pm earlier.
03:15Parliament debates the bill of fire.
03:17It's also been made on camera.
03:19The new system is created on camera.
03:21There are many people in the middle of the system are not available for a day.
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