BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

 

S.B. 476

By: Hancock

Public Health

Committee Report (Unamended)

 

 

 

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

 

There are concerns that certain cities have enacted unnecessarily onerous restrictions on restaurants that allow pets in outdoor dining areas. S.B. 476 seeks to address these concerns by authorizing food service establishments to permit a customer to be accompanied by a dog in an outdoor dining area under certain conditions.

 

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

 

S.B. 476 amends the Health and Safety Code to authorize a food service establishment to permit a customer to be accompanied by a dog in an outdoor dining area. The bill sets out the requisite conditions applicable to that authorization. The bill prohibits a municipality from adopting or enforcing an ordinance, rule, or similar measure that imposes a requirement on a food service establishment for a dog in an outdoor dining area that is more stringent than the bill's requirements. The bill exempts a service animal from the application of these requirements.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE

 

September 1, 2019.