LSL S.B. 197 75(R)BILL ANALYSIS PUBLIC HEALTH S.B. 197 By: Zaffirini (Berlanga) 2-19-97 Committee Report (Unamended) BACKGROUND The Texas Senate Committee on Health and Human Services' Interim Report on Improving Immunization Programs and Restricting Children's Access to Tobacco and Alcohol recommended that the Texas Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse (TCADA) regulate and coordinate alcohol awareness programs. Although TCADA currently certifies over 106 such programs and is working on approving a program for underage drinkers who have been charged with possession or consumption of alcohol, the regulation of alcohol awareness courses is not one of their required duties. PURPOSE S.B. 197 requires that TCADA regulate, coordinate, and provide training for alcohol awareness programs required under Section 106.115, Alcohol Beverage Code, relating to attendance of an alcohol awareness course by a minor for violation 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 461.012(a), Health and Safety Code, by adding subdivision (18) to require that the Texas Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse (TCADA) regulate, coordinate, and provide training for alcohol awareness courses required under Section 106.115, Alcoholic Beverage Code, relating to attendance of alcohol awareness course by a minor for violation of the Alcoholic Beverage Code, among other required duties. Authorizes the commission to charge a fee for an activity performed by TCADA under this subdivision. Makes conforming changes. SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 1997. SECTION 3. Emergency clause.