BILL ANALYSIS



S.B. 714
By: Cain (Pitts)
5-3-95
Committee Report (Unamended)


BACKGROUND


Current law exempts various fraternal and veterans organizations
from several requirements of the Alcoholic Beverage Code's
provisions for the Private Club Registration permit holders. 
Fraternal and veterans organizations qualifying for private club
registration permit exemption status are not required to pay a
permit fee, provide regular food service for members, have guests
pay for beverages in cash, or maintain a locker system to store
members' alcoholic beverages or a pool system to purchase alcoholic
beverages for all members.  In addition, any funds held jointly by
club members can be used to replenish the club's joint stock of
alcoholic beverages.


PURPOSE

S.B. 714 redefines "fraternal organization" to include a chapter or
other local unit of a national fraternal organization that promotes
physical fitness among the organizations exempt from certain
requirements of the Alcoholic Beverage Code.  


RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly
grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer,
department, agency or institution.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Section 32.11(a)(1), Alcoholic Beverage Code, to
redefine "fraternal organization," to include a chapter or local
unit of an American national fraternal organization that promotes
physical fitness and provides class in athletics to children and
that, as owner, lessee, or occupant, has operated an establishment
for fraternal purposes for at least one year.  Requires the
fraternal organization to actively operate in not fewer than 12
states, have at least six local units in this state, and have at
least one unit in this state that has been in active, continuous
existence for at least 75 years.

SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 1995.

SECTION 3. Emergency clause.


SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE ACTION

SB 714 was heard in a Public Hearing on May 3, 1995.  The Chair
laid out SB 714, and recognized the House Sponsor, Rep. Pitts to
explain the bill.  The Chair recognized the following persons to
testify in favor of the bill:
     Mr. Larry Laznovsky, Sokol Ennis, Fraternal Activities
Organization;
The Chair recognized Rep. Pitts to close.  Rep. Goolsby moved that
the full committee adopt SB 714, and that it be reported favorably
to the full House with the recommendation that it do pass and be
printed, and placed on the Local and Consent Calendar.  The motion
prevailed by the following vote:  AYES: 7, NAYS: 0, ABSENT: 2.