By: Turner of Tarrant, et al. H.B. No. 2127
        (Senate Sponsor - Hancock)
         (In the Senate - Received from the House April 12, 2021;
  April 14, 2021, read first time and referred to Committee on
  Administration; May 10, 2021, reported favorably by the following
  vote:  Yeas 4, Nays 0; May 10, 2021, sent to printer.)
Click here to see the committee vote
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
 
  relating to consumption of alcoholic beverages in public
  entertainment facilities and zones.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 108.73, Alcoholic Beverage Code, is
  amended by adding Subdivision (3-a) to read as follows:
               (3-a)  "Public entertainment zone" means an area of
  land that:
                     (A)  is owned by a municipality with a population
  of 175,000 or more;
                     (B)  is designated as a public entertainment zone
  by the governing body of a municipality in a formal meeting; and 
                     (C)  contains a public safety facility.
         SECTION 2.  The heading to Section 108.82, Alcoholic
  Beverage Code, is amended to read as follows:
         Sec. 108.82.  ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE CONSUMPTION IN PUBLIC
  ENTERTAINMENT FACILITIES AND ZONES.
         SECTION 3.  Sections 108.82(a) and (b), Alcoholic Beverage
  Code, are amended to read as follows:
         (a)  This section applies only to [a public entertainment
  facility]:
               (1)  a public entertainment facility that is owned or
  leased by the Texas State Railroad Authority and used as a station
  for passenger rail services; [or]
               (2)  a public entertainment facility that is a stadium,
  arena, or other permanent structure that is used for sporting
  events and:
                     (A)  relating to which an agreement approved by
  the administrator under Section 108.79 is in force; and
                     (B)  for which all alcoholic beverage permits and
  licenses are held by a single holder; or
               (3)  a public entertainment zone.
         (b)  Notwithstanding Section 28.10, the concessionaire for a
  public entertainment facility or a public entertainment zone
  described by Subsection (a) may allow a patron who possesses an
  alcoholic beverage to enter or leave a licensed or permitted
  premises within the facility or zone if the alcoholic beverage:
               (1)  is in an open container, as defined by Section
  49.031, Penal Code;
               (2)  appears to be possessed for present consumption;
               (3)  except as provided by Section 48.01(b), remains
  within the confines of the facility or zone, excluding a parking
  lot; and
               (4)  was purchased legally at a licensed or permitted
  premises within the facility or zone.
         SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.
 
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