HBA-CMT H.B. 2444 77(R) BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 2444 By: Davis, John Licensing & Administrative Procedures 3/15/2001 Introduced BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Currently, the Lou Lawler Seafarers' Center is unable to serve alcoholic beverages to the seamen who stay there because the City of Morgan's Point recently voted to become a dry municipality. House Bill 2444 amends the definition of a fraternal organization to include a chapter, member, or other local unit of an American national fraternal organization of merchant seafarers, allowing such an organization to obtain a private alcoholic beverage license without having to pay extra costs and fees normally associated with a private club. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution. ANALYSIS House Bill 2444 amends the Alcoholic Beverage Code to include in the definition of "fraternal organization" a chapter, member, or other local unit of an American national fraternal organization that promotes the moral, educational, social, and recreational welfare of merchant seafarers, and that as owner, lessee, or occupant has operated an establishment for such purposes for at least one year. The bill requires the fraternal organization to actively operate in not fewer than 12 states, have at least six local units in this state, and have at least one unit in this state that has been in active, continuous existence for at least 15 years. EFFECTIVE DATE On passage, or if the Act does not receive the necessary vote, the Act takes effect September 1, 2001.