SRC-LBB S.B. 935 78(R)BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research CenterS.B. 935
By: Jackson
Business & Commerce
6/18/2003
Enrolled


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Currently,  the Lou Lawler Seafarers' Center is not allowed to serve
alcoholic beverages because the city of Morgan's Point voted to become a
dry municipality.  S.B. 935 amends the definition of a fraternal
organization to include a chapter or other local unit of an American
national fraternal organization that promotes the welfare of merchant
seafarers and meets certain other requirements.  This bill allows such an
organization to obtain a private alcoholic beverage license without having
to pay extra costs associated with a private club. 

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 32.11(a) (1), Alcoholic Beverage Code, to
include in the definition of "fraternal organization," a chapter 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 fraternal purposes for at least one year.  Requires the
fraternal organization to meet certain requirements. 

SECTION 2.  Effective date:  September 1, 2003.