S.B. 935 78(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


S.B. 935
By: Jackson
Licensing & Administrative Procedures
Committee Report (Unamended)



BACKGROUND 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.  
As proposed, 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

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any
additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or
institution. 

ANALYSIS

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 including: the organization must
be operate in no less than 12 states; have a minimum of four local units
in Texas; and have one unit that has been active for a minimum of 15 years
continuously.  


EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2003.