BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 2098

By: Geren

Licensing & Administrative Procedures

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Recently enacted legislation aimed to help the craft brew industry meet the increasing demand of that market, but concerns have been raised regarding certain unintended consequences introduced by the implementation of that legislation. H.B. 2098 seeks to address one of the concerns by allowing a wholesaler's permit holder to purchase ale and malt liquor from a brewpub license holder and allowing a brewpub license holder to sell ale and malt liquor to a wholesaler's permit holder.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

H.B. 2098 amends the Alcoholic Beverage Code to clarify that the holder of a local class B wholesaler's permit may purchase malt and vinous liquors from the holder of a brewpub license and that the holder of a brewpub license may sell ale and malt liquor to the holder of a general class B wholesaler's permit. The bill includes the holder of a wholesaler's permit among the permit holders to which the holder of a brewpub license may sell ale and malt liquor and authorizes the holder of a wholesaler's permit to purchase ale and malt liquor from the holder of a brewpub license.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2017.