SRC-TAG S.B. 338 78(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center S.B. 338 78R2083 AKH-DBy: Averitt Business & Commerce 2/26/2003 As Filed DIGEST AND PURPOSE Currently, certain cities located in two counties are prohibited from filing an application for a petition to hold a local option election for the consumption of alcoholic beverages. As proposed, S.B. 338 enables a city with a population of 25,000 or less located in two counties, each of which has a population between 125,000 and 1.5 million to hold a local option election for the sale of beer and wine or for the sale of mixed beverage in restaurants. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Section 251.18(a), Alcoholic Beverage Code, to authorize an election to permit or prohibit the legal sale of beer or wine in an incorporated city or town that is located in two counties that each have a population of at least 125, 000 but not exceeding 1.5 million; and one of which contains a city or town with a population of 525,000 or more; and has a population of less than 25, 000. Provides an election to permit or prohibit the legal sale of mixed beverages in restaurants by food and beverage certificate holders only in an incorporated city or town that is located in two counties, each having a population of at least 125,000 but not exceeding 1.5 million; and one of which contains a city or town with a population of 525,000 or more; and has a population of less than 25,000. SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2003.