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  • 18 hours ago
A major overhaul of Trinidad and Tobago's fireworks laws is headed to Parliament tomorrow. The Government is proposing sweeping amendments to the Summary Offences Act—changes that would impose strict permit requirements, limit where fireworks can be used, and introduce fixed penalties for offenders.

Here's what's in the new Bill… and what it could mean for fireworks users across the country.

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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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