|
|
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
|
|
AN ACT
|
|
|
relating to the continuation and functions of the Texas Alcoholic |
|
Beverage Commission; providing penalties. |
|
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
|
SECTION 1. Section 1.04, Alcoholic Beverage Code, is |
|
amended by adding Subdivision (25) to read as follows: |
|
(25) "Executive management" includes the |
|
administrator, the assistant administrator, individuals who report |
|
directly to the administrator, and the head of each division of the |
|
commission. |
|
SECTION 2. Subsection (b), Section 5.01, Alcoholic Beverage |
|
Code, is amended to read as follows: |
|
(b) The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission is subject to |
|
Chapter 325, Government Code (Texas Sunset Act). Unless continued |
|
in existence as provided by that chapter, the commission is |
|
abolished and Subchapter A, Chapter 5, [of this code] expires |
|
September 1, 2019 [2007. In the review of the commission by the
|
|
Sunset Advisory Commission, as required by this section, the sunset
|
|
commission shall limit its review to the appropriateness of
|
|
recommendations made by the sunset commission to the 79th
|
|
Legislature. In the Sunset Advisory Commission's report to the
|
|
80th Legislature, the sunset commission may include any
|
|
recommendations it considers appropriate]. |
|
SECTION 3. Subsection (c), Section 5.02, Alcoholic Beverage |
|
Code, is amended to read as follows: |
|
(c) Appointments to the commission shall be made without |
|
regard to the race, color, disability [handicap], sex, religion, |
|
age, or national origin of the appointees. |
|
SECTION 4. Subchapter A, Chapter 5, Alcoholic Beverage |
|
Code, is amended by adding Section 5.022 to read as follows: |
|
Sec. 5.022. TRAINING. (a) A person who is appointed to and |
|
qualifies for office as a member of the commission may not vote, |
|
deliberate, or be counted as a member in attendance at a meeting of |
|
the commission until the person completes a training program that |
|
complies with this section. |
|
(b) The training program must provide the person with |
|
information regarding: |
|
(1) the legislation that created the commission and |
|
the commission's programs, functions, rules, and budget; |
|
(2) the results of the most recent formal audit of the |
|
commission; |
|
(3) the requirements of laws relating to open |
|
meetings, public information, administrative procedure, and |
|
conflicts of interest; and |
|
(4) any applicable ethics policies adopted by the |
|
commission or the Texas Ethics Commission. |
|
(c) A person appointed to the commission is entitled to |
|
reimbursement, as provided by the General Appropriations Act, for |
|
the travel expenses incurred in attending the training program |
|
regardless of whether the attendance at the program occurs before |
|
or after the person qualifies for office. |
|
SECTION 5. Section 5.04, Alcoholic Beverage Code, is |
|
amended to read as follows: |
|
Sec. 5.04. PRESIDING OFFICER [CHAIRMAN]. The governor |
|
shall designate a [one] member of the commission as the presiding |
|
officer of the commission to serve in that capacity at the pleasure |
|
of the governor [chairman]. |
|
SECTION 6. Subsections (c) through (f), Section 5.05, |
|
Alcoholic Beverage Code, are amended to read as follows: |
|
(c) A person may not be [serve as] a member of the commission |
|
or act as the general counsel to the commission if the person is |
|
required to register as a lobbyist under Chapter 305, Government |
|
Code, because of the person's activities for compensation on behalf |
|
of a profession related to the operation of the commission. |
|
(d) A person may not be a member of the commission and may |
|
not be a commission employee employed in a "bona fide executive, |
|
administrative, or professional capacity," as that phrase is used |
|
for purposes of establishing an exemption to the overtime |
|
provisions of the federal Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (29 |
|
U.S.C. Section 201 et seq.), if: |
|
(1) the person is an [An] officer, employee, or paid |
|
consultant of a Texas trade association in the field of alcoholic |
|
beverages; or |
|
(2) the person's [beverage manufacture, distribution,
|
|
service, or sales may not be a member or employee of the commission.
|
|
[(e) A person who is the] spouse is [of] an officer, |
|
manager, or paid consultant of a Texas trade association in the |
|
field of alcoholic beverages [beverage manufacture, distribution,
|
|
or sales may not be a member or employee of the commission]. |
|
(e) In [(f) For the purposes of] this section, "Texas trade |
|
association" means [a Texas trade association is] a [nonprofit,] |
|
cooperative[,] and voluntarily joined statewide association of |
|
businesses or professional competitors in this state [persons] |
|
designed to assist its members and its industry or profession in |
|
dealing with mutual business or professional problems and in |
|
promoting their common interest. |
|
SECTION 7. Section 5.051, Alcoholic Beverage Code, is |
|
amended to read as follows: |
|
Sec. 5.051. GROUNDS FOR REMOVAL FROM COMMISSION. (a) It |
|
is a ground for removal from the commission that [if] a member: |
|
(1) does not have at the time of taking office |
|
[appointment] the qualifications required by Section 5.02 [of this
|
|
code]; |
|
(2) does not maintain during [the] service on the |
|
commission the qualifications required by Section 5.02 [of this
|
|
code for appointment to the commission]; |
|
(3) is ineligible for membership under [violates a
|
|
prohibition established by] Section 5.05 [of this code]; |
|
(4) cannot, [is unable] because of illness or |
|
disability, [to] discharge the member's duties for a substantial |
|
part [portion] of the member's term [for which the member was
|
|
appointed]; or |
|
(5) is absent from more than half [one-half] of the |
|
regularly scheduled commission meetings that the member is eligible |
|
to attend during a [each] calendar year without an excuse |
|
approved[, except when the absence is excused] by a majority vote of |
|
the commission. |
|
(b) The validity of an action of the commission is not |
|
affected by the fact that it was taken when a ground for removal of a |
|
[member of the] commission member exists [existed]. |
|
(c) If the administrator has knowledge that a potential |
|
ground for removal exists, the administrator shall notify the |
|
presiding officer [chairman] of the commission of the potential |
|
ground. The presiding officer [chairman of the commission] shall |
|
then notify the governor and the attorney general that a potential |
|
ground for removal exists. If the potential ground for removal |
|
involves the presiding officer, the administrator shall notify the |
|
next highest ranking officer of the commission, who shall then |
|
notify the governor and the attorney general that a potential |
|
ground for removal exists. |
|
SECTION 8. Section 5.12, Alcoholic Beverage Code, is |
|
amended to read as follows: |
|
Sec. 5.12. [CONCURRENT] DUTIES OF ADMINISTRATOR. The |
|
commission shall specify the duties and powers of the administrator |
|
by printed rules and regulations entered in its minutes and shall |
|
develop and implement policies that clearly separate the |
|
policy-making [define the respective] responsibilities of the |
|
commission and the management responsibilities of the |
|
administrator[, the assistant administrator,] and the staff of the |
|
commission. The commission or administrator may develop a |
|
procedure under which the commission or administrator, or the |
|
designee of either, may negotiate the repayment of debts owed the |
|
commission, including fees and delinquent taxes. When this code |
|
imposes concurrent powers or duties on the commission and the |
|
administrator, the commission shall designate those powers and |
|
duties which it delegates to the administrator. An order, |
|
decision, or judgment rendered and entered by the administrator in |
|
a matter in which the administrator has been authorized to act is |
|
not subject to change, review, or revision by the commission. A |
|
concurrent power or duty which has not been specifically delegated |
|
to the administrator by the commission's order is retained by the |
|
commission, and an order, decision, or judgment rendered and |
|
entered by the commission in a matter in which the commission has |
|
retained authority is not subject to change, review, or revision by |
|
the administrator. |
|
SECTION 9. Section 5.31, Alcoholic Beverage Code, is |
|
amended to read as follows: |
|
Sec. 5.31. GENERAL POWERS AND DUTIES. (a) The commission |
|
may exercise all powers, duties, and functions conferred by this |
|
code, and all powers incidental, necessary, or convenient to the |
|
administration of this code. It shall inspect, supervise, and |
|
regulate every phase of the business of manufacturing, importing, |
|
exporting, transporting, storing, selling, advertising, labeling, |
|
and distributing alcoholic beverages, and the possession of |
|
alcoholic beverages for the purpose of sale or otherwise. It may |
|
prescribe and publish rules necessary to carry out the provisions |
|
of this code. |
|
(b) The commission shall: |
|
(1) protect the public safety by deterring and |
|
detecting violations of this code; |
|
(2) promote legal and responsible alcohol |
|
consumption; |
|
(3) ensure fair competition within the alcoholic |
|
beverage industry; |
|
(4) ensure consistent, predictable, and timely |
|
enforcement of this code; |
|
(5) ensure a consistent, predictable, and timely |
|
licensing and permitting process; |
|
(6) promote and foster voluntary compliance with this |
|
code; and |
|
(7) communicate the requirements of this code clearly |
|
and consistently. |
|
SECTION 10. Subchapter B, Chapter 5, Alcoholic Beverage |
|
Code, is amended by adding Sections 5.361 and 5.362 to read as |
|
follows: |
|
Sec. 5.361. ENFORCEMENT. (a) The commission shall develop |
|
a risk-based approach to conducting its enforcement activities that |
|
focuses on: |
|
(1) detecting serious violations that impact public |
|
safety; |
|
(2) monitoring entities that have a history of |
|
complaints and violations of this code; and |
|
(3) any other factors the commission considers |
|
important. |
|
(b) The commission shall develop benchmarks and goals to |
|
track key enforcement activities and the results of those |
|
activities. For each type of enforcement activity, the commission |
|
shall track the number of violations detected by the enforcement |
|
activity, the amount of time spent on the enforcement activity, and |
|
any other information the commission considers necessary. The |
|
commission shall use the information collected under this |
|
subsection and other information to compare the enforcement |
|
performance of each region and to determine the most effective |
|
enforcement activities. |
|
(c) The commission shall track, on a statewide and regional |
|
basis, the type of violations detected, the disposition of the |
|
violations, and the entities that committed the most serious |
|
violations. |
|
(d) The commission shall compile detailed statistics and |
|
analyze trends related to its enforcement activities. The |
|
commission shall: |
|
(1) summarize the statistics and trends for executive |
|
management on a monthly basis and for the members of the commission |
|
on a quarterly basis; and |
|
(2) make summary information available to the public, |
|
including by posting the information on the commission's Internet |
|
website. |
|
Sec. 5.362. SCHEDULE OF SANCTIONS. (a) The commission by |
|
rule shall adopt a schedule of sanctions that may be imposed on a |
|
license or permit holder for violations of this code or rules |
|
adopted under this code. In adopting the schedule of sanctions, the |
|
commission shall ensure that the severity of the sanction imposed |
|
is appropriate to the type of violation that is the basis for |
|
disciplinary action. |
|
(b) For each violation for which a license or permit may be |
|
suspended, the schedule of sanctions must include the number of |
|
days a permit or license would be suspended and the corresponding |
|
civil penalty under Section 11.64. |
|
(c) In determining the appropriate sanction for a violation |
|
under the schedule, the commission or administrator shall consider: |
|
(1) the type of license or permit held by the person |
|
who committed the violation; |
|
(2) the type of violation; |
|
(3) any aggravating or ameliorating circumstances |
|
concerning the violation; and |
|
(4) the license or permit holder's previous violations |
|
of this code. |
|
(d) The schedule must: |
|
(1) allow deviations from the schedule for clearly |
|
established mitigating circumstances, including circumstances |
|
listed in Section 11.64(c), or aggravating circumstances; and |
|
(2) include a list of the most common violations by |
|
members of the manufacturing, wholesaling, and retailing tiers of |
|
the alcoholic beverage industry and the sanctions assessed for |
|
those violations. |
|
(e) The commission shall develop policies to guide |
|
commission staff in determining the circumstances when it is |
|
appropriate to deviate from the schedule of sanctions. The |
|
policies must identify the circumstances when approval is required |
|
in order to deviate from the schedule. |
|
(f) The commission shall make the schedule of sanctions |
|
available to the public, including by posting the schedule on the |
|
commission's Internet website. |
|
SECTION 11. Section 5.38, Alcoholic Beverage Code, is |
|
amended to read as follows: |
|
Sec. 5.38. QUALITY AND PURITY OF BEVERAGES. (a) The |
|
commission shall require by rule that any alcoholic beverage sold |
|
in this state conform in all respects to its advertised quality. |
|
(b) The commission shall promulgate and enforce rules |
|
governing the labeling and advertising of all alcoholic beverages |
|
sold in the state, and shall adopt and enforce a standard of |
|
quality, purity, and identity of all alcoholic beverages. The |
|
commission shall promulgate and enforce necessary rules to |
|
safeguard the public health and to insure sanitary conditions in |
|
the manufacturing, refining, blending, mixing, purifying, |
|
bottling, rebottling, and sale of alcoholic beverages. |
|
(c) The commission may test the contents of any alcoholic |
|
beverage manufactured or sold in the state to protect the public |
|
health and safety and to ensure that the product: |
|
(1) is accurately represented to the public; and |
|
(2) complies with state law and commission rules. |
|
SECTION 12. Section 5.53, Alcoholic Beverage Code, is |
|
amended to read as follows: |
|
Sec. 5.53. PUBLIC INTEREST INFORMATION AND COMPLAINTS. |
|
(a) The commission shall adopt rules that clearly define the |
|
agency's complaint process from the time the complaint is received |
|
until it is resolved. |
|
(b) The commission shall make [prepare] information [of
|
|
public interest] describing its [the functions of the commission
|
|
and the commission's] procedures for complaint investigation and |
|
resolution [by which complaints are filed with and resolved by the
|
|
commission. The commission shall make the information] available |
|
to the public and appropriate state agencies, including by posting |
|
the information on the commission's Internet website. |
|
(c) The commission, by rule, shall adopt a standardized form |
|
for filing complaints against a licensed or permitted entity. The |
|
commission shall make the complaint form available to the public, |
|
including by posting the complaint form on the commission's |
|
Internet website. |
|
(d) [(b)] The commission by rule shall establish methods by |
|
which consumers and service recipients are notified of the name, |
|
mailing address, and telephone number of the commission for the |
|
purpose of directing a complaint to the commission. The commission |
|
may require that the notification be provided on a sign prominently |
|
displayed in the place of business of each individual or entity |
|
regulated under this code. |
|
SECTION 13. Section 5.54, Alcoholic Beverage Code, is |
|
amended by amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsections (a-1) and |
|
(c) to read as follows: |
|
(a) The commission shall maintain a system to promptly and |
|
efficiently act on complaints [keep an information file about each
|
|
complaint] filed with the commission. The commission shall assign |
|
priorities to complaint investigations based on risk so that the |
|
commission handles the most serious complaints first. |
|
(a-1) The [that the] commission shall maintain information |
|
about parties to the complaint, the subject matter of the |
|
complaint, a summary of the results of the review or investigation |
|
of the complaint, and its disposition [has authority to resolve]. |
|
(c) The commission shall: |
|
(1) compile: |
|
(A) detailed statistics and analyze trends on |
|
complaint information, including: |
|
(i) the nature of the complaints; |
|
(ii) their disposition; and |
|
(iii) the length of time to resolve |
|
complaints; and |
|
(B) complaint information on a statewide and a |
|
regional basis; |
|
(2) report the information on a monthly basis to |
|
executive management and on a quarterly basis to members of the |
|
commission; and |
|
(3) make general information about the nature and |
|
disposition of complaints available to the public, including by |
|
posting the information on the commission's Internet website. |
|
SECTION 14. Section 5.55, Alcoholic Beverage Code, is |
|
amended to read as follows: |
|
Sec. 5.55. [AGREEMENTS FOR] ELECTRONIC PROCESSING OF |
|
LICENSES OR PERMITS. (a) The commission shall expedite the |
|
processing of original and renewal applications for licenses and |
|
permits by using electronic means, including the Internet. |
|
(b) The commission or administrator may enter into an |
|
agreement with another agency of this state to provide for the |
|
issuance of original or renewal licenses or permits through the use |
|
of electronic means, including use of the Internet, to facilitate |
|
the licensing process. |
|
(c) A reasonable service fee may be charged to applicants |
|
who choose to use electronic or Internet service to apply for |
|
original licenses or permits or to renew licenses or permits, |
|
subject to other laws limiting or defining those fees; provided, |
|
that no service fee may be charged by the commission or by another |
|
agency to those applicants who choose not to utilize the electronic |
|
or Internet method to apply for an original or a renewal license or |
|
permit. |
|
SECTION 15. Subchapter B, Chapter 5, Alcoholic Beverage |
|
Code, is amended by adding Sections 5.57 through 5.61 to read as |
|
follows: |
|
Sec. 5.57. MARKETING PRACTICES REGULATORY DECISIONS. |
|
(a) The commission shall develop a formal process for making |
|
policy decisions regarding marketing practices regulations and for |
|
communicating those decisions to agency staff and the alcoholic |
|
beverage industry. |
|
(b) The commission shall gather input from a diverse group |
|
of representatives of the alcoholic beverage industry regarding |
|
regulatory issues and interpretations of this code and commission |
|
rules. |
|
(c) The commission shall make a reasonable attempt to meet |
|
with alcoholic beverage industry representatives from: |
|
(1) the manufacturing, distribution, and retail tiers |
|
of the industry; and |
|
(2) the liquor, beer, and wine segments of the |
|
industry. |
|
(d) In making policy decisions regarding marketing |
|
practices regulations, the commission shall: |
|
(1) take into consideration recommendations of the |
|
industry representatives consulted under this section; |
|
(2) document its policy decisions by: |
|
(A) using a precedents manual; or |
|
(B) drafting formal advisories; and |
|
(3) make those documents available to regional staff |
|
and industry members through its Internet website, electronic mail, |
|
or commission publications. |
|
Sec. 5.58. INTERNAL AFFAIRS. (a) The administrator shall |
|
establish an office of internal affairs to ensure fair and |
|
impartial investigations of alleged employee misconduct. |
|
(b) The administrator shall appoint and directly oversee |
|
the head of the office of internal affairs. |
|
(c) The office of internal affairs has original |
|
departmental jurisdiction over complaints involving commission |
|
personnel. |
|
(d) The office of internal affairs staff shall coordinate |
|
and be the central reporting point for all employee investigations. |
|
The staff may initiate investigations of complaints; however, the |
|
staff must obtain the approval of the appropriate division director |
|
or higher-level executive management to investigate an employee |
|
when no complaint has been made. |
|
(e) At least once each month, the head of the office of |
|
internal affairs shall report to the administrator information |
|
about the nature and status of each complaint investigated by the |
|
office of internal affairs. |
|
(f) The head of the office of internal affairs shall submit |
|
a quarterly report to the members of the commission. The report |
|
must contain a summary of information relating to investigations |
|
conducted under this section, including an analysis of the number, |
|
type, and outcome of investigations, trends in the investigations, |
|
and recommendations to avoid future complaints. |
|
(g) The commission shall inform the public about how to file |
|
a complaint against an employee of the commission and the steps the |
|
agency takes to address complaints against employees. |
|
Sec. 5.59. USE OF TECHNOLOGY. The commission shall |
|
implement a policy requiring the commission to use appropriate |
|
technological solutions to improve the commission's ability to |
|
perform its functions. The policy must ensure that the public is |
|
able to interact with the commission on the Internet. |
|
Sec. 5.60. ALTERNATIVE RULEMAKING AND DISPUTE RESOLUTION |
|
PROCEDURES. (a) The commission shall develop and implement a |
|
policy to encourage the use of: |
|
(1) negotiated rulemaking procedures under Chapter |
|
2008, Government Code, for the adoption of commission rules; and |
|
(2) appropriate alternative dispute resolution |
|
procedures under Chapter 2009, Government Code, to assist in the |
|
resolution of internal and external disputes under the commission's |
|
jurisdiction. |
|
(b) The commission's procedures relating to alternative |
|
dispute resolution must conform, to the extent possible, to any |
|
model guidelines issued by the State Office of Administrative |
|
Hearings for the use of alternative dispute resolution by state |
|
agencies. |
|
(c) The commission shall designate a trained person to: |
|
(1) coordinate the implementation of the policy |
|
adopted under Subsection (a); |
|
(2) serve as a resource for any training needed to |
|
implement the procedures for negotiated rulemaking or alternative |
|
dispute resolution; and |
|
(3) collect data concerning the effectiveness of those |
|
procedures, as implemented by the commission. |
|
Sec. 5.61. REPORT TO LEGISLATURE ON CERTAIN ENFORCEMENT |
|
EFFORTS. (a) Not later than October 31 of each even-numbered |
|
year, the commission shall report to the legislature on the |
|
commission's enforcement efforts concerning alcohol sales and |
|
consumption during prohibited hours. |
|
(b) The report must specify the number of individuals or |
|
establishments found to be: |
|
(1) engaging in an activity for which a permit or |
|
license is required by this code without the required permit or |
|
license; |
|
(2) selling, serving, or offering for sale an |
|
alcoholic beverage during prohibited hours in violation of Chapter |
|
105 or Section 11.61(b)(23), 32.17(a)(7), or 61.71(a)(7); |
|
(3) consuming or permitting consumption of an |
|
alcoholic beverage on a permitted or licensed premises during |
|
prohibited hours in violation of Chapter 105 or Section |
|
11.61(b)(22), 32.17(a)(7), or 61.71(a)(18); or |
|
(4) violating Section 11.61(b)(2), 32.17(a)(2), |
|
32.17(a)(3), 61.71(a)(14), or 101.04 by: |
|
(A) refusing to allow entry to a permitted or |
|
licensed premises by an inspector, investigator, or law enforcement |
|
official; |
|
(B) refusing to furnish information to an |
|
inspector, investigator, or law enforcement official; or |
|
(C) interfering with or refusing to permit an |
|
inspection or investigation being conducted by an inspector, |
|
investigator, or law enforcement official. |
|
(c) The commission shall report the information required by |
|
Subsection (b) on a statewide basis and for each region and major |
|
metropolitan area. |
|
SECTION 16. Subchapter A, Chapter 11, Alcoholic Beverage |
|
Code, is amended by adding Section 11.042 to read as follows: |
|
Sec. 11.042. HEALTH RISKS WARNING SIGN. (a) The |
|
commission by rule shall require the holder of a permit authorizing |
|
the sale of alcoholic beverages for on-premises consumption to |
|
display a warning sign on the door to each restroom on the permitted |
|
premises that informs the public of the risks of drinking alcohol |
|
during pregnancy. |
|
(b) The commission's rules shall specify the language of the |
|
warning and the size and graphic design of the sign, including font |
|
size and type. |
|
SECTION 17. Subsection (a), Section 11.64, Alcoholic |
|
Beverage Code, is amended to read as follows: |
|
(a) When the commission or administrator is authorized to |
|
suspend a permit or license under this code, the commission or |
|
administrator shall give the permittee or licensee the opportunity |
|
to pay a civil penalty rather than have the permit or license |
|
suspended, unless the basis for the suspension is a violation of |
|
Section 11.61(b)(14), 22.12, 28.11, 32.17(a)(2), 32.17(a)(3), |
|
61.71(a)(5), 61.71(a)(6), 61.74(a)(14), 69.13, 71.09, 101.04, |
|
101.63, 106.03, 106.06, or 106.15, the sale or offer for sale of an |
|
alcoholic beverage during hours prohibited by Chapter 105, |
|
consumption or the permitting of consumption of an alcoholic |
|
beverage on the person's licensed or permitted premises during |
|
hours prohibited by Chapter 105 or Section 32.17(a)(7), or an |
|
offense relating to prostitution or gambling, in which case the |
|
commission or administrator shall determine whether the permittee |
|
or licensee may have the opportunity to pay a civil penalty rather |
|
than have the permit or license suspended. The commission shall |
|
adopt rules addressing when suspension may be imposed pursuant to |
|
this section without the opportunity to pay a civil penalty. In |
|
adopting rules under this subsection, the commission shall consider |
|
the type of license or permit held, the type of violation, any |
|
aggravating or ameliorating circumstances concerning the |
|
violation, and any past violations of this code by the permittee or |
|
licensee. In cases in which a civil penalty is assessed, the |
|
commission or administrator shall determine the amount of the |
|
penalty. The amount of the civil penalty may not be less than $150 |
|
or more than $25,000 for each day the permit or license was to have |
|
been suspended. If the licensee or permittee does not pay the |
|
penalty before the sixth day after the commission or administrator |
|
notifies him of the amount, the commission or administrator shall |
|
impose the suspension. |
|
SECTION 18. Subchapter A, Chapter 61, Alcoholic Beverage |
|
Code, is amended by adding Section 61.111 to read as follows: |
|
Sec. 61.111. HEALTH RISKS WARNING SIGN. (a) The |
|
commission by rule shall require the holder of a license |
|
authorizing the sale of beer for on-premises consumption to display |
|
a warning sign on the door to each restroom on the licensed premises |
|
that informs the public of the risks of drinking alcohol during |
|
pregnancy. |
|
(b) The commission's rules shall specify the language of the |
|
warning and the size and graphic design of the sign, including font |
|
size and type. |
|
SECTION 19. Section 101.04, Alcoholic Beverage Code, is |
|
amended to read as follows: |
|
Sec. 101.04. CONSENT TO INSPECTION; PENALTY. (a) By |
|
accepting a license or permit, the holder consents to [that] the |
|
commission, an authorized representative of the commission, or a |
|
peace officer entering [may enter] the licensed premises at any |
|
time to conduct an investigation or inspect the premises for the |
|
purpose of performing any duty imposed by this code. |
|
(b) A person commits an offense if the person refuses to |
|
allow the commission, an authorized representative of the |
|
commission, or a peace officer to enter a licensed or permitted |
|
premises as required by Subsection (a). An offense under this |
|
section is a Class A misdemeanor. |
|
SECTION 20. Section 101.67, Alcoholic Beverage Code, is |
|
amended by amending Subsections (a) and (d) and adding Subsection |
|
(e) to read as follows: |
|
(a) No person may ship or cause to be shipped into the state, |
|
import into the state, manufacture and offer for sale in the state, |
|
or distribute, sell, or store in the state any beer, ale, or malt |
|
liquor unless: |
|
(1) a sample of the beverage or a sample of the same |
|
type and quality of beverage has been first submitted to an |
|
independent, reputable laboratory or the commission for analysis to |
|
verify the alcohol content of the beverage [and been found by the
|
|
commission or its representative to comply with all rules and
|
|
regulations of the commission relating to quality, purity, and
|
|
standards of measure]; and |
|
(2) the label of the beverage has been first submitted |
|
to the commission or its representative and found to comply with all |
|
provisions of this code relating to the labeling of the particular |
|
type of beverage. |
|
(d) If the commission determines that the product analysis |
|
provided by the independent laboratory or the sample, and the |
|
label, required by Subsection (a) [of this section] comply with the |
|
provisions of this code and the rules of the commission, the |
|
commission shall issue a certificate of approval upon receipt of a |
|
fee in an [the] amount that is sufficient to cover the cost of |
|
administering this section [of $25]. A copy of the certificate |
|
shall be kept on file in the office of the commission. |
|
(e) The commission by rule shall establish the procedures |
|
for accepting analysis of beer, ale, or malt liquor by an |
|
independent laboratory under Subsection (a)(1). |
|
SECTION 21. Subchapter D, Chapter 101, Alcoholic Beverage |
|
Code, is amended by adding Section 101.671 to read as follows: |
|
Sec. 101.671. PRIOR APPROVAL OF DISTILLED SPIRITS AND WINE. |
|
(a) Before an authorized permittee may ship distilled spirits or |
|
wine into the state or sell distilled spirits or wine within the |
|
state, the permittee must register the distilled spirits or wine |
|
with the commission. The registration application must include a |
|
certificate of label approval issued by the United States Alcohol |
|
and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau for the product. |
|
(b) On registration of a certificate of label approval |
|
issued by the United States Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade |
|
Bureau, the commission shall approve the product under this section |
|
and issue a letter to that effect to the permittee. The commission |
|
may not require additional approval for the product unless there is |
|
a change to the label or product that requires reissuance of the |
|
federal certificate of label approval. The commission shall accept |
|
the certificate of label approval as constituting full compliance |
|
with any applicable standards adopted under Section 5.38 regarding |
|
quality, purity, and identity of distilled spirits or wine. |
|
(c) The commission may not register a product unless the |
|
application is accompanied by a fee set by the commission in an |
|
amount that is sufficient to cover the cost of administering this |
|
section. A copy of the registration shall be kept on file in the |
|
office of the commission. |
|
(d) The commission by rule shall establish procedures for |
|
accepting federal certificates of label approval for registration |
|
under this section. |
|
SECTION 22. Subsection (d), Section 102.32, Alcoholic |
|
Beverage Code, is amended to read as follows: |
|
(d) Each delivery of liquor shall be accompanied by an |
|
invoice giving the date of purchase. If a retailer becomes |
|
delinquent in the payment of an account for liquor, the wholesale |
|
dealer immediately shall report that fact in writing, including by |
|
electronic mail or facsimile transmission, to the commission or |
|
administrator. A [No] wholesale dealer may not sell any liquor to a |
|
retailer who is delinquent until the delinquent account is paid in |
|
full and cleared from the records of the commission. An account |
|
becomes delinquent if it is not paid when it is required to be paid |
|
under Subsection (c) [of this section]. |
|
SECTION 23. Section 105.06, Alcoholic Beverage Code, is |
|
amended by adding Subsection (a-1) to read as follows: |
|
(a-1) For the purposes of this section, a licensed or |
|
permitted premises is a public place. |
|
SECTION 24. Chapter 105, Alcoholic Beverage Code, is |
|
amended by adding Section 105.10 to read as follows: |
|
Sec. 105.10. PENALTY. (a) A person commits an offense if |
|
the person, in violation of this chapter or Section 32.17(a)(7): |
|
(1) sells or offers for sale an alcoholic beverage |
|
during prohibited hours; or |
|
(2) consumes or permits the consumption of an |
|
alcoholic beverage on the person's licensed or permitted premises |
|
during prohibited hours. |
|
(b) An offense under this section is a Class A misdemeanor. |
|
SECTION 25. Section 49.02, Penal Code, is amended by adding |
|
Subsection (a-1) to read as follows: |
|
(a-1) For the purposes of this section, a premises licensed |
|
or permitted under the Alcoholic Beverage Code is a public place. |
|
SECTION 26. Section 37.11, Alcoholic Beverage Code, is |
|
repealed. |
|
SECTION 27. (a) Not later than March 1, 2008, the Texas |
|
Alcoholic Beverage Commission shall adopt the rules and policies |
|
necessary to implement Sections 5.361, 5.362, 11.042, 61.111, and |
|
101.671, Alcoholic Beverage Code, as added by this Act, and |
|
Sections 5.53, 5.54, and 101.67, Alcoholic Beverage Code, as |
|
amended by this Act. |
|
(b) Not later than March 1, 2008, the Texas Alcoholic |
|
Beverage Commission shall adopt the rules and policies necessary to |
|
implement Sections 5.57, 5.58, 5.59, and 5.60, Alcoholic Beverage |
|
Code, as added by this Act, and Section 5.12, Alcoholic Beverage |
|
Code, as amended by this Act. |
|
SECTION 28. The change in law made by Section 5.022, |
|
Alcoholic Beverage Code, as added by this Act, and Sections 5.05 and |
|
5.051, Alcoholic Beverage Code, as amended by this Act, regarding |
|
the prohibitions on, qualifications of, and training for members of |
|
the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission does not affect the |
|
entitlement of a member serving on the commission immediately |
|
before September 1, 2007, to continue to serve and function as a |
|
member of the commission for the remainder of the member's term. |
|
The change in law described by this section applies only to a member |
|
appointed on or after September 1, 2007. |
|
SECTION 29. The change in law made by this Act related to |
|
the filing or investigation of a complaint under Chapter 5, |
|
Alcoholic Beverage Code, as amended by this Act, applies only to a |
|
complaint filed with the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission on or |
|
after the effective date of this Act. A complaint filed before the |
|
effective date of this Act is governed by the law as it existed |
|
immediately before that date, and the former law is continued in |
|
effect for that purpose. |
|
SECTION 30. Section 11.64, Alcoholic Beverage Code, as |
|
amended by this Act, applies only to conduct that is a basis for |
|
suspension of a license or permit that occurs on or after the |
|
effective date of this Act. Conduct that occurs before the |
|
effective date of this Act is governed by the law in effect |
|
immediately before that date, and that law is continued in effect |
|
for that purpose. |
|
SECTION 31. (a) Sections 101.04 and 105.06, Alcoholic |
|
Beverage Code, and Section 49.02, Penal Code, as amended by this |
|
Act, and Section 105.10, Alcoholic Beverage Code, as added by this |
|
Act, apply only to an offense committed on or after the effective |
|
date of this Act. For the purposes of this section, an offense is |
|
committed before the effective date of this Act if any element of |
|
the offense occurs before that date. |
|
(b) An offense committed before the effective date of this |
|
Act is covered by the law in effect immediately before the effective |
|
date of this Act, and that law is continued in effect for that |
|
purpose. |
|
SECTION 32. This Act takes effect September 1, 2007. |
|
|
|
* * * * * |