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.