TITLE 11. COMMERCE

TITLE 11. COMMERCE

Chapter 11.3

FIREWORKS

Sections:

11.3.1

11.3.2

11.3.3

11.3.4

11.3.5

11.3.6

11.3.7

11.3.8

11.3.9

11.3.10

11.3.11

11.3.12

11.3.13

11.3.14

11.3.15

11.3.16

11.3.17

11.3.18

11.3.19

11.3.20

11.3.21

11.3.22

11.3.23

11.3.24

11.3.25

Title.

Definitions.

Federal Regulations as to Fireworks.

Fireworks Outlet License Required.

Restrictions on Fireworks Outlets.

Establishment of Season of Sale.

Application for Fireworks Outlet License.

Issuance of Fireworks Outlet License.

Denial of License.

Fireworks Outlet License Fee.

Excise Tax.

Cleaning Deposit.

Cleanup and Removal of Signs.

Tribe to Enforce Cleanup, Sign Removal.

Other Business by Operator.

Restricted Sales to Minors.

Prohibited Places of Discharge.

Restrictions on Wholesale Transactions.

Tribal Immunity — Liability.

Revocation of Fireworks Outlet License.

Violation — Remedies.

Recovery of Taxes Owed.

Authority to Inspect Premises and Records.

Administration.

Severability.

11.3.1. Title. This chapter shall be known as the “Suquamish Fireworks Ordinance.”

(Res. 75-271 §1, passed June 9, 1975; amended by Res. 81-074 §1, passed July 9,

1981; amended by Res. 89-045 (part), passed June 1, 1989)

11.3.2. Definitions. As used in this chapter, the following words and phrases shall each

have the designated meaning unless a different meaning is expressly provided or is

clearly indicated by the context.

(a) “Tribe” shall mean the Suquamish Tribe of the Port Madison Indian

Reservation.

(b) “Council” shall mean the Suquamish Tribal Council.

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(c) “Fireworks” shall mean blank cartridges, toy pistols, toy cannons, toy canes,

or toy guns in which explosives are used; fire balloons (balloons of a type which have

burning material of any kind attached thereto or which require fire underneath to propel

them); firecrackers, torpedoes, skyrockets, rockets, Roman candles, day go bombs, or

other fireworks of like construction; and any fireworks containing any combustible or

explosive substance for the purpose of producing a visible or audible effect by

combustion, explosion, deflagration, or detonation; but does not include toy pistols, toy

canes, toy guns, or other similar devices in which paper caps containing not more than

twenty-five hundredths (.25) grain of explosive compound per cap are used. Nothing

herein shall be deemed to prohibit the use of any explosive or flammable compound,

blasting caps, or similar items used for industrial or agricultural purposes.

(d) “Outlet” shall mean a facility or place where the business of selling fireworks

at wholesale or retail is conducted.

(e) “Taxable event” shall mean the sale, consumption, handling, use, possession,

or distribution of fireworks.

(f) “Retail selling price” shall mean the ordinary, customary, or usual price paid by

the consumer for each fireworks product, less any tax levied pursuant to this chapter.

(g) “Operator” shall mean a person licensed by the Tribe to manage a fireworks

outlet. (Res. 75-271 §2, passed June 9, 1975; amended by Res. 89-045 (part), passed

June 1, 1989)

11.3.3. Federal Regulations as to Fireworks. No fireworks shall be sold on the Port

Madison Indian Reservation except as permitted under the regulations of the Federal

Consumer Products Safety Commission found in Title 16 of the Code of Federal

Regulations, Parts 1500 and 1507, as they may be amended from time to time, which

regulations are incorporated herein by reference as tribal law. The provisions of this

chapter shall be construed so as not to conflict with such federal regulations. In case of

conflict between this chapter and those regulations, the federal regulations shall govern.

(Res. 75-271 §3, passed June 9, 1975; amended by Res. 89-045 (part), passed June 1,

1989)

11.3.4. Fireworks Outlet License Required. No person on the Port Madison Indian

Reservation shall sell any fireworks or possess fireworks with intent to sell without an

appropriate tribal license and in compliance with the terms thereof, except that

wholesale distributors located outside the Port Madison Indian Reservation who make

deliveries to on-reservation outlets and who do not store such fireworks on the

reservation shall not be required to have an outlet license. (Res. 75-271 §6, passed

June 9, 1975; amended by Res. 89-045 (part), passed June 1, 1989; amended by Res.

94-088, passed June 27, 1994)

11.3.5. Restrictions on Fireworks Outlets. The Tribal Council at its discretion may

direct that the number, location, size, type, and operation of fireworks outlets within the

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Port Madison Indian Reservation be restricted as it deems appropriate to protect public

health and safety and to promote the welfare of the Suquamish people. (Res. 89-045

(part), passed June 1, 1989)

11.3.6. Establishment of Season of Sale. The Tribal Council shall establish the

season(s) of sale during which fireworks outlets on the Port Madison Indian Reservation

may be open. (Res. 75-271 §5, passed June 9, 1975; amended by Res. 89-045 (part),

passed June 1, 1989)

11.3.7. Application for Fireworks Outlet License. Any person a minimum of eighteen

(18) years of age may apply upon an application form provided by the executive director

for a fireworks outlet license. The application shall contain the following:

(a) The applicant’s name and any business name;

(b) If the applicant is not a natural person, the name and address of an agent

authorized to accept service of process;

(c) The name of a natural person who will be responsible for managing the outlet;

(d) The applicant’s current business address;

(e) The location at which the outlet will be operated and if the outlet will be

operated on land of which the applicant is not the owner, other than tribal trust land,

evidence of permission from the owner to operate there;

(f) Whether the application is for a wholesale or retail outlet;

(g) The signature of the applicant or an authorized official thereof, witnessed by a

notary public;

(h) The designation required by §11.3.14 of this chapter; and

(i) Such other information as the executive director may require in the

administration of this chapter. (Res.75-271 §7, passed June 9, 1975; amended by Res.

89-045 (part), passed June 1, 1989; amended by Res. 98-044 (part), passed June 8,

1998)

11.3.8. Issuance of Fireworks Outlet License. Upon approval of an application and

compliance with all other parts of this chapter, the executive director may issue an

applicant a fireworks outlet license for all seasons of sale commencing during the

current calendar year. The license shall entitle the operator to establish and maintain

one (1) fireworks outlet on the Port Madison Indian Reservation. The license shall be

nontransferable. No person shall be issued more than one (1) license. A copy of the

license shall be posted at each fireworks outlet in a place where it is readily visible to

the public. (Res. 75-271 (part), passed June 9, 1975; amended by Res. 81-074 §8,

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passed July 9, 1981; amended by Res. 89-045 (part), passed June 1, 1989; amended

by Res. 98-044 (part), passed June 8, 1998)

11.3.9. Denial of License. If an application for a license under this chapter contains a

material misrepresentation or the granting of any license would be contrary to this

chapter or to any restriction made pursuant to §11.3.5 hereof, the application for the

license may be denied. (Res. 89-045 (part), passed June 1, 1989)

11.3.10. Fireworks Outlet License Fee. After approval of an application for a fireworks

outlet license, the applicant shall pay a license fee to the Suquamish Tribe for the

privilege of operating a tribal fireworks outlet. The amount of the fee shall be

established by the Tribal Council. The fee must be paid promptly following the opening

of the fireworks outlet. Any fee not paid by September 1 of each year shall accrue

interest at the rate and be subject to such monetary penalty as the Tribal Council may

prescribe. (Res. 75-271 §9, passed June 9, 1975; amended by Res. 89-045 (part),

passed June 1, 1989)

11.3.11. Excise Tax. The Tribal Council may authorize the levying of a tax upon the

sale, use, consumption, handling, possession, or distribution of all fireworks. The

excise tax authorized hereunder shall be a tax upon distribution of fireworks; provided

however, that failure to pay the tax at the time of such distribution shall not prevent tax

liability from arising by reason of another taxable event. Any excise tax levied

hereunder shall be added to the retail price of fireworks sold to the ultimate consumer.

(Res. 75-271 §10, passed June 9, 1975; amended by Res. 89-045 (part), passed June

1, 1989)

11.3.12. Cleaning Deposit. As a condition to the issuance of a license under this

chapter, each applicant shall first deposit with the Tribe a cleaning deposit in an amount

established by the Tribal Council. The cleaning deposit shall be returned at the end of

the selling season if the outlet site is cleaned as required in §11.3.13. (Res. 81-074

§10.1, passed July 9, 1981; amended by Res. 89-045 (part), passed June 1, 1989)

11.3.13. Cleanup and Removal of Signs. It is the responsibility of each operator to

ensure that at the close of each season the fireworks outlet site is cleaned of all wood,

paper, and other refuse and that all signs used in the sale of fireworks or which in the

past were used in the sale of fireworks that are not used in other businesses are

removed from the site. All removal required by this section shall be completed within

ten (10) days of the close of the selling season as established by the Tribal Council.

The Suquamish Tribe shall act to enforce this section if the operator fails to clean and

remove all signs from the site within the ten-day period. (Res. 81-074 §10.2, passed

July 9, 1981; amended by Res. 89-045 (part), passed June 1, 1989)

11.3.14. Tribe to Enforce Cleanup, Sign Removal. As a condition of the issuance of

any license under this chapter, a fireworks outlet operator shall designate the

Suquamish Tribe as his or her agent to carry out the requirements of §11.3.13. The

designation shall empower the Suquamish Tribe to enter and inspect the fireworks site,

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to take all action necessary or appropriate to clean and clear the site as provided in

§11.3.13, and to remove any sign subject to removal under that section. The operator

shall agree to bear all costs involved in the cleaning and removal and to reimburse the

Tribe for all expenses incurred in enforcing §11.3.13. The designation shall be in writing

and shall be contained in every license application. (Res. 81-074 §10.3, passed July 9,

1981; amended by Res. 89-045 (part), passed June 1, 1989)

11.3.15. Other Business by Operator. An operator may conduct another business

simultaneously with managing a fireworks outlet pursuant to this chapter. The operator

shall keep a separate accounting of the transactions from business of the fireworks

outlet. However, the other business may be conducted on the premises, and the

operator shall not be required to maintain separate books of account for the other

businesses. (Res. 75-271 §14, passed June 9, 1975; amended by Res. 89-045 (part),

passed June 1, 1989)

11.3.16. Restricted Sales to Minors. An operator may not sell any fireworks to any

person under sixteen (16) years of age nor permit any such person to work in the outlet.

(Res. 75-271 §15, passed June 9, 1975; amended by Res. 89-045 (part), passed June

1, 1989)

11.3.17. Prohibited Places of Discharge. No person shall discharge any fireworks

within any building, vehicle, or closed area; within one hundred fifty (150) feet of any

public fireworks display during such display; or within one hundred fifty (150) feet of any

vehicle, structure, container, facility, or place in which fireworks, petroleum products, or

other highly flammable or explosive substances are made, sold, or stored pending sale

or commercial use. (Res. 89-045 (part), passed June 1, 1989)

11.3.18. Restrictions on Wholesale Transactions. No wholesale fireworks licensee

shall, within the Port Madison Indian Reservation, sell any fireworks at retail or to

persons other than retail fireworks licensees. No retail fireworks licensee shall

purchase fireworks at wholesale within the Port Madison Indian Reservation from any

person other than a wholesale fireworks licensee. (Res. 75-271 §11, passed June 9,

1975; amended by Res. 89-045 (part), passed June 1, 1989)

11.3.19. Tribal Immunity — Liability. Nothing in this chapter or any regulation,

restriction, license, or other act pursuant thereto shall limit or waive the sovereign

immunity of the Tribe from suit nor create any liability on behalf of the Tribe for damages

arising from the sale or use of fireworks. (Res. 75-271 §16, passed June 9, 1975;

amended by Res. 89-045 (part), passed June 1, 1989)

11.3.20. Revocation of Fireworks Outlet License. Failure of an operator to abide by this

chapter and any additional requirement or restriction imposed pursuant thereto will

constitute grounds for revocation of the operator's fireworks outlet license as well as

enforcement of the remedies provided in §11.3.21. (Res. 75-271 §18, passed June 9,

1975; amended by Res. 89-045 (part), passed June 1, 1989)

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11.3.21. Violation — Remedies. The Tribal Court shall have jurisdiction over any

alleged violations of this chapter. Upon application by the Tribe showing probable

cause, the tribal judge shall issue an order directing the tribal law enforcement officer to

seize all fireworks, from wherever purchased and by whomever owned, from any

business being operated in violation of this chapter. Within three (3) days of such

seizure, after adequate notice to the operator of such outlet, a hearing shall be held in

the Tribal Court at which time the operator of such outlet shall be given the opportunity

to present evidence in defense of his or her activities. The time for such hearing may

be extended at the request of the operator. If the Tribal Court shall determine by a

preponderance of the evidence that any fireworks outlet was or is being operated in

violation of this chapter or restrictions pursuant hereto, the tribal judge shall impose a

civil penalty of not less than fifty dollars ($50) nor more than two hundred fifty dollars

($250) per violation in addition to the forfeiture of any fireworks seized as described

above. (Res. 75-271 §19, passed June 9, 1975; amended by Res. 89-045 (part),

passed June 1, 1989)

11.3.22. Recovery of Taxes Owed. The Tribe shall have a cause of action in the Tribal

Court to recover any taxes or fees owed and not paid to the Tribe in accordance with

this chapter, together with interest and penalties. (Res. 75-271 §20, passed June 9,

1975; amended by Res. 89-045 (part), passed June 1, 1989)

11.3.23. Authority to Inspect Premises and Records. The Tribe shall have the power to

inspect the premises and records of any fireworks outlet for the purpose of determining

whether all of the requirements of this chapter and restrictions pursuant hereto are

being met by the fireworks outlet and its operator. Notice of such inspection need not

be given, and interference with or obstruction of such an inspection by a fireworks outlet

operator or his or her agent or employee shall be grounds for revocation of the fireworks

outlet license and shall be deemed a violation of this chapter. (Res. 75-271 §21,

passed June 9, 1975; amended by Res. 89-045 (part), passed June 1, 1989)

11.3.24. Administration. Unless otherwise provided by this chapter or other tribal law or

policy, the executive director shall administer this chapter. (Res. 89-045 (part), passed

June 1, 1989; amended by Res. 98-044 (part), passed June 8, 1998)

11.3.25. Severability. If any provision of this chapter or its application to any person or

circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of this chapter or the application of the

provision to other persons or circumstances is not affected. (Res. 75-271 §22, passed

June 9, 1975; amended by Res. 89-045 (part), passed June 1, 1989)

Note: Subsection 11.3.2(1)-(7) renumbered 11.3.2(a)-(g) for consistency.

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