NDT H.B. 1233 75(R)BILL ANALYSIS


LICENSING & ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES
H.B. 1233
By: Kubiak
3-10-97
Committee Report (Unamended)



BACKGROUND 

The use of alcohol by minors is an increasing problem.  Today's youth have
many different methods of obtaining alcoholic beverages.  One such method
is having someone over the age of 21 purchase the alcohol for them.
Removing one of the minors methods of obtaining alcohol, would  help to
reduce the number of youths under 21 who have access to alcoholic
beverages.   

The current penalty for such an offense is a minor fine.  The hope is that
this legislation will act as a deterrent, thus forcing the purchaser to be
less willing to purchase the alcohol for those under the legal drinking
age.  In order to help reduce the number of under age drinkers, we must
make it more difficult for them to obtain alcoholic beverages.   

PURPOSE

HB 1233 would increase the penalty of furnishing alcohol to a minor.  The
current penalty entails a maximum fine of $500, and this penalty would be
increased to a Class B misdemeanor which carries a maximum fine of $2000
and/or a jail term not to exceed 180 days. 

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 106.06(c), Alcoholic Beverages Code, by
increasing the penalty to a Class B misdemeanor. 

SECTION 2.  Effective date.  The bill takes effect September 1, 1997.

SECTION 3.  Emergency clause.