SRC-PNG H.B. 3598 76(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   H.B. 3598
By: McClendon (Cain)
Criminal Justice
5/12/1999
Engrossed


DIGEST 

When notifications for proposed business establishments or development
projects are posted in a timely manner, a neighborhood organization can
contest and raise concerns regarding the proposal before construction of
the proposed business establishments or development projects begin.
However, Texas law does not presently provide for a uniform procedure for
notifying local authorities and residents of proposals for new land use.
The current notification process has sometimes been ineffective and some
communities do not discover the existence of new development projects or
businesses until projects are well underway.  This bill would amend the
current notification process for proposed business establishments in
communities. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, H.B. 3598 amends the current notification process for proposed
business establishments in communities. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, institution, or agency. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Section 11.391, Alcoholic Beverage Code, as follows:

Sec.  11.391.  NOTICE BY SIGN.  (a) Requires an applicant for a permit
issued under this code, rather than an applicant for a mixed beverage
permit or a private club registration permit, for a location not previously
licensed for the on-premises consumption to prominently post an outdoor
sign at the location stating certain information, not later than the 60th
day before the date the application is filed, rather than on the dates
notice is required to be published under Section 11.39 of this code.   

(b) Requires the sign be at least 24 by 36 inches in size and to be written
in certain size lettering, rather than in a manner and size the
administrator considers adequate.   

(c) Provides that this section does not apply to an applicant for a permit
issued under specified chapters in this code.  Deletes text prohibiting an
application from being deleted for failure to post notice and requiring an
applicant to comply with this section within a certain time period. 

SECTION 2. Amends Section 61.381, Alcoholic Beverage Code, as follows:

Sec.  61.381.  NOTICE BY SIGN.  (a) Requires an applicant for a permit
issued under this code, rather than a wine and beer retailer's permit or a
retail dealer's on-premise license, for a location not previously licensed
for the on-premises consumption to prominently post an outdoor sign at the
location stating certain information, not later than the 60th day before
the date the application is filed, rather than on the dates notice is
required to be published under Section 11.39 of this code.   

(b) Makes conforming changes.
 
(c) Provides that this section does not apply to an applicant for a license
issued under specified chapters of this code.  Makes conforming changes. 

SECTION 3. Amends Chapter 243, Local Government Code, by adding Section
243.0075, as follows: 

Sec.  243.0075.  NOTICE BY SIGN.  (a) Requires an applicant for a license
or permit issued under Section 243.007 for a location not previously
licensed or permitted to prominently post an outdoor sign at the location
stating certain information, not later than the 60th day before the date
the application is filed.   

(b) Requires a person who intends to operate a sexually oriented business
in the jurisdiction of a municipality or county that does not require the
owner or operator of a sexually oriented business to obtain a license or
permit to prominently post an outdoor sign at the location stating that a
sexually oriented business is intended to be located on the premises and
providing certain information by a certain date. 

(c) Requires the sign be at least 24 by 36 inches in size and be written in
certain size lettering.  Authorizes the municipality or county in which the
sexually oriented business is to be located to require the sign to be both
in English and a language other than English if it is likely that a
substantial number of the residents of the area speak a language other than
English as their familiar language. 

SECTION 4. Amends Section 244.002, Local Government Code, by amending
Subsection (a) and adding Subsection (d), as follows: 

(a) Makes conforming and nonsubstantive changes.

(d) Requires an entity described by Subsection (a) to prominently post an
outdoor sign at the proposed location of the correctional or rehabilitation
facility stating that such a facility is intended to be located on the
premises and providing certain information on the entity. Requires the sign
be at least 24 by 36 inches in size and be written in certain size
lettering. Authorizes the municipality or county in which the correctional
or rehabilitation facility  is to be located to require the sign to be both
in English and a language other than English if it is likely that a
substantial number of the residents of the area speak a language other than
English as their familiar language. 

SECTION 5. Amends Section 244.005, Local Government Code, to make
conforming changes. 

SECTION 6. (a) Provides that the changes in law made by this Act apply only
to certain applicants for licenses or permits issued under the Alcoholic
Beverage Code, for licenses or permits for a sexually oriented business, or
for certain people who propose to construct correctional or rehabilitation
facilities. 

(b)-(d) Makes application of this Act prospective.

SECTION 7. Effective date: September 1, 1999.

SECTION 8. Emergency clause.