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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the use of electronic processes by and electronic |
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information submitted to the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission; |
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authorizing a fee. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 5, Alcoholic Beverage |
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Code, is amended by adding Section 5.321 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 5.321. ELECTRONIC SIGNATURES. Any electronic |
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information, record, or other document, including an application, |
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submitted to the commission that has an electronic signature with |
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the required specific identifiers of the signatory has the same |
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force and effect as a manual signature before a notary public and is |
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considered a sworn statement for purposes of Section 101.69, |
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notwithstanding any other law. |
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SECTION 2. Section 5.55, Alcoholic Beverage Code, is |
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amended to read as follows: |
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Sec. 5.55. ELECTRONIC PROCESSING OF LICENSES, [OR] PERMITS, |
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AND CERTIFICATES. (a) The commission shall expedite the |
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processing of original and renewal applications for licenses, [and] |
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permits, and certificates by using electronic means, including the |
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Internet. |
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(b) The commission or administrator may enter into an |
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agreement with another agency of this state to provide for the |
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issuance of original or renewal licenses, [or] permits, or |
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certificates through the use of electronic means, including use of |
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the Internet, to facilitate the licensing process. |
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(c) A reasonable service fee may be charged to applicants |
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who choose to use electronic or Internet service to apply for |
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original or renewal licenses, [or] permits, or certificates [or to
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renew licenses or permits], subject to other laws limiting or |
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defining those fees; provided, that no service fee may be charged by |
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the commission or by another agency to those applicants who choose |
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not to utilize the electronic or Internet method to apply for an |
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original or a renewal license, [or] permit, or certificate. |
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SECTION 3. Section 5.321, Alcoholic Beverage Code, as added |
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by this Act, applies only to a document submitted to the Texas |
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Alcoholic Beverage Commission on or after the effective date of |
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this Act. |
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SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2015. |