SRC-AMY S.B. 1251 78(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research CenterS.B. 1251
By: Armbrister
Business & Commerce
7/14/2003
Enrolled

DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Currently, the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) only accepts
applications for original or renewal licenses or permits through the mail.
Accepting applications through the Internet may facilitate the application
process.  S.B. 1251 allows TABC to enter into an agreement with another
agency to provide for the issuance or original or renewal licenses or
permits electronically, including through the Internet.  This bill also
authorizes TABC to charge a reasonable service fee to those who use the
electronic or Internet service and prohibits charging a service fee to
those applicants who choose not to utilize the electronic or Internet
method. 


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 Subchapter B, Chapter 5, Alcoholic Beverage Code, by
adding Section 5.55, as follows: 

Sec. 5.55.  AGREEMENTS FOR ELECTRONIC PROCESSING OF LICENSES OR PERMITS.
Authorizes the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) or TABC
administrator to enter into an agreement with another agency of this state
to provide for the issuance of original or renewal licenses or permits
electronically, including the use of the Internet, to facilitate the
licensing process.  Authorizes charging a reasonable service fee for using
the electronic or Internet service to apply for original or renewal
licenses or permits, subject to other laws limiting or defining those
fees; and prohibits TABC, or another agency, from charging a service fee
to those applicants who choose not to utilize the electronic or Internet
method to apply for an original or renewal license or permit.  

SECTION 2.  Effective date:  September 1, 2003.