By Zaffirini                                           S.B. No. 505
         76R6179 MCK-D                           
                                A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 1-1                                   AN ACT
 1-2     relating to the display of warning signs on the dangers of alcohol
 1-3     consumption by establishments selling alcoholic beverages for
 1-4     on-premise consumption.
 1-5           BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
 1-6           SECTION 1.  Subchapter D, Chapter 109, Alcoholic Beverage
 1-7     Code, is amended by adding Section 109.61 to read as follows:
 1-8           Sec. 109.61.  WARNING SIGNS REQUIRED FOR ON-PREMISE PERMIT OR
 1-9     LICENSE HOLDERS.  (a)  A person who holds a license or permit for
1-10     on-premise consumption, including the holder of a food and beverage
1-11     certificate, shall post, in a conspicuous place in each public
1-12     restroom on the licensed or permitted premises, a sign provided by
1-13     the commission that reads substantially similar to the following:
1-14           GOVERNMENT WARNING: (1) According to the Surgeon
1-15           General, women should not drink alcoholic beverages
1-16           during pregnancy because of the risk of birth defects.
1-17           (2) Consumption of alcoholic beverages impairs your
1-18           ability to drive a car or operate machinery and may
1-19           cause health problems.
1-20           (b)  The commission shall adopt rules relating to the
1-21     provision of the warning signs required by this section.
1-22           SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect January 1, 2000, except
1-23     that the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission shall adopt rules and
1-24     provide the warning signs as required by Section 109.61, Alcoholic
 2-1     Beverage Code, as added by this Act, before December 15, 1999.
 2-2           SECTION 3.  The importance of this legislation and the
 2-3     crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an
 2-4     emergency and an imperative public necessity that the
 2-5     constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several
 2-6     days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended.