78R3053 MCK-D
By: Jackson S.B. No. 935
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to fraternal organizations that are exempt from certain
requirements of the alcoholic beverage code.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 32.11(a)(1), Alcoholic Beverage Code, is
amended to read as follows:
(1) "Fraternal organization" means:
(A) any chapter, aerie, parlor, lodge, or other
local unit of an American national fraternal organization or Texas
state fraternal organization that, as the owner, lessee, or
occupant, has operated an establishment for fraternal purposes for
at least one year. If an American national fraternal organization,
it must actively operate in not fewer than 31 states and have at
least 300 local units in those 31 states, and must have been in
active, continuous existence for at least 20 years. If a Texas state
fraternal organization, it must actively operate in at least two
counties of the state and have at least 10 local units in those two
counties, and must have been in active, continuous existence for at
least five years;
(B) a hall association or building association of
a local unit described in Paragraph (A), all the capital stock of
which is owned by the local unit or the members of the local unit,
and which operates the clubroom facilities of the local unit;
(C) a building association not owned by a local
unit described in Paragraph (A) but one that is composed wholly of
members appointed by a county commissioners court to administer,
manage, and control an exposition center containing an exhibition
area of not less than 100,000 square feet and an arena with not less
than 6,000 fixed seats, situated on property with an area of not
less than 50 acres that is owned, together with all buildings,
appurtenances, and parking areas, by a county; [or]
(D) a chapter or other local unit of an American
national fraternal organization that promotes physical fitness and
provides classes in athletics to children and that, as owner,
lessee, or occupant, has operated an establishment for fraternal
purposes for at least one year. The fraternal organization must:
(i) actively operate in not fewer than 12
states;
(ii) have at least six local units in this
state; and
(iii) have at least one unit in this state
that has been in active, continuous existence for at least 75 years;
or
(E) 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. The
fraternal organization must:
(i) actively operate in not fewer than 12
states;
(ii) have at least four local units in this
state; and
(iii) have at least one unit in this state
that has been in active, continuous existence for at least 15 years.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2003.