| TO: | Honorable Glenn Lewis, Chair, House Committee on County Affairs |
| FROM: | John Keel, Director, Legislative Budget Board |
| IN RE: | HB2291 by Wohlgemuth (Relating to the regulation of mass gatherings; providing penalties.), As Introduced |
The bill would amend the Health and Safety Code to revise procedures related to issuing a mass gathering permit, including requiring a county judge to provide a copy to the permit applicant of the reports submitted by the county health authority, fire marshal, and sheriff regarding whether the gathering would meet sanitation, fire safety, and public safety standards. Time frames related to the permit process would also be adjusted.
Procedures for revoking a permit would be amended and new penalties would be set by the provisions of the bill. A suit may be brought regarding violations in a district court in the county in which the mass gathering is scheduled, in the county in which the event is being promoted, or in Travis County.
In addition to the sheriff, provisions of the bill would add that the attorney general, local prosecuting attorney, Department of Public Safety, or the federal Drug Enforcement Agency may inspect a mass gathering during the gathering to ensure that the minimum standards for ensuring public safety and order are followed.
The bill would take effect September 1, 2003 and penalties would apply only to an offense committed on or after that date.
The state agencies and local government entities that would be affected by the provisions of the bill indicated that costs associated with implementing the bill would be insiginificant.
| Source Agencies: | 302 Office of the Attorney General, 304 Comptroller of Public Accounts, 405 Department of Public Safety, 501 Department of Health
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| LBB Staff: | JK, DLBa
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