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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to an interim study concerning alcohol-related offenses, |
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alcohol awareness, and treatment for alcohol dependency in this |
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state. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. ALCOHOL AWARENESS STUDY COMMITTEE. (a) An |
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interim committee is created to study laws and regulations relating |
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to alcohol-related offenses, alcohol awareness, and treatment for |
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alcohol dependency, and to recommend methods to decrease the |
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incidence of alcohol abuse in the state. The committee's study must |
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include an examination of: |
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(1) state agencies that are involved in: |
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(A) efforts to reduce alcohol-related motor |
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vehicle accidents and offenses in the state; |
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(B) programs to reduce alcohol dependence, |
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including education and treatment services; and |
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(C) initiating and implementing alcohol |
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awareness campaigns to reduce alcohol abuse; |
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(2) the feasibility of creating a separate state |
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agency to oversee regulation of alcohol dependency and alcohol |
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awareness programs and services and to administer alcohol-related |
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laws; and |
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(3) the fiscal implications of creating a separate |
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state agency described by Subdivision (2). |
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(b) The committee consists of the following nine members: |
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(1) four members appointed by the lieutenant governor, |
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two of whom must be senators and two of whom must be members of the |
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public; |
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(2) four members appointed by the speaker of the house |
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of representatives, two of whom must be representatives and two of |
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whom must be members of the public; and |
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(3) one member appointed by the governor, who must be a |
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member of the public and shall serve as the committee's presiding |
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officer. |
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(c) The committee shall convene at the call of the presiding |
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officer. |
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(d) The committee has all other powers and duties provided |
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to a special or select committee by the rules of the senate and |
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house of representatives, by Subchapter B, Chapter 301, Government |
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Code, and by policies of the senate and house committees on |
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administration. |
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(e) From the contingent expense fund of the senate and the |
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contingent expense fund of the house of representatives equally, |
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the members of the committee are entitled to reimbursement for |
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expenses incurred in carrying out the provisions of this Act in |
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accordance with the rules of the senate and house of |
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representatives and the policies of the senate and house committees |
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on administration. |
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(f) Not later than January 15, 2009, the committee shall |
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report the committee's findings and recommendations to the |
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lieutenant governor, the speaker of the house of representatives, |
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and the governor. The committee shall include in its |
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recommendations specific statutory changes that appear necessary |
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from the results of the committee's study under Subsection (a). |
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(g) Not later than the 60th day after the effective date of |
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this Act, the lieutenant governor, the speaker of the house of |
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representatives, and the governor shall appoint the members of the |
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interim committee created under this section. |
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SECTION 2. EXPIRATION. This Act expires September 1, 2009. |
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SECTION 3. EFFECTIVE DATE. This Act takes effect September |
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1, 2007. |