|
House Bill 1667 |
House Author: Geren |
|
Effective: Vetoed |
Senate Sponsor: Brimer |
House Bill 1667 amends provisions of the Alcoholic Beverage Code relating to annual state fees for a wine and beer retailer's permit and a retail dealer's on-premise license. The bill stipulates that the original and renewal fees for a permit or license in connection with an establishment in a county with a population of at least 1.4 million do not apply to such a permit or license issued with a food and beverage certificate. For other counties, the annual fee for a permit is increased from $175 to $275 and for a license from $150 to $250. In addition, the bill creates an annual state fee of $175 for an original or renewal permit issued to a fraternal or veterans organization and $150 for an original or renewal license issued to such an organization.
Reason Given for Veto: "House Bill No. 1667 would increase the wine and beer permit fees in Dallas, Harris, and Tarrant counties while decreasing fees for wine and beer permit holders who also have a food and beverage certificate. The bill would increase the fee for: (1) a wine and beer retailer's permit by $100; and (2) an original wine and beer permit in connection with a food and beverage certificate by $250. The bill also would decrease the annual renewal of a wine and beer retailer's permit by $250, and create a fee for an original wine and beer retailer's permit to organizations that costs $175.
"The bill seeks to address a local issue of regulating neighborhood bars by increasing fees and exempting restaurants from fees created during the 79th Legislature. Many of these small establishments operate in converted houses or garages in neighborhoods that lack the deed restrictions that might restrict the location of bars to commercial thoroughfares.
"I am vetoing House Bill No. 1667 because regulating businesses that engage in the alcoholic beverage industry should be accomplished through local ordinances in conjunction with an increased presence of law enforcement to preserve public safety, not through increased fees that are intended to price out businesses from existence."