81R27050 AJA-F

By: Pierson, Eiland, Gutierrez, et al. H.B. No. 3331

Substitute the following for H.B. No. 3331:

By: Gutierrez C.S.H.B. No. 3331

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to local option alcoholic beverage elections to change the status of an existing voting unit.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Section 251.72, Alcoholic Beverage Code, is amended to read as follows:

Sec. 251.72. CHANGE OF STATUS. (a) Except as provided in Section 251.73 [of this code], an authorized voting unit that has exercised or may exercise the right of local option retains the status adopted, whether absolute prohibition or legalization of the sale of alcoholic beverages of one or more of the various types and alcoholic contents on which an issue may be submitted under the terms of Section 501.035, Election Code, until that status is changed by a subsequent local option election in the same authorized voting unit.

(b) Except as provided by Subsection (c), a subsequent local option election shall be held within the boundaries of the authorized voting unit as they exist on the date of the election, and the results of the election are effective within those boundaries.

(c) Subsection (b) does not apply to a local option election in a justice precinct in a county containing only one justice precinct.

SECTION 2. Section 251.80, Alcoholic Beverage Code, is amended by adding Subsection (d) to read as follows:

(d) This section applies only to a county containing only one justice precinct.

SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2009.