Honorable Mike Hamilton, Chair, House Committee on Licensing & Administrative Procedures
FROM:
John S O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB1959 by Thompson (Relating to appeal of the certification of an area’s wet or dry status.), Committee Report 1st House, Substituted
No fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
The bill would amend the Alcoholic Beverage Code to provide that an applicant would be entitled to a hearing before a county judge if the county clerk, the city secretary or the city clerk refuses to certify a location for a permit or license that is not in a wet area or is prohibited by charter or ordinance. The county judge would be required to conduct a hearing within 30 days after the county judge receives a written request.
Local Government Impact
Dallas County reported there would be estimated costs for salaries and benefits for three additional employees ($209,001) in fiscal year 2012 with amounts increasing in subsequent fiscal years. The amount would be a 75 percent increase in the department's current fiscal year budget of $375,376.
Harris County reported there would be estimated costs for salaries and benefits for one new employee ($88,940); equipment and furnishings ($4,000); and postage and express shipping ($2,500) in fiscal year 2012 with amounts increasing in subsequent fiscal years. The county also noted that the bill could result in hearings for appeals of rulings that a liquor enterprise may not receive a license to serve alcohol because of the location in a dry area. Harris County's experience is that roughly 20 percent to 25 percent of the duties may be handled by the county due to the size and population.