By: West S.B. No. 650

(In the Senate - Filed December 18, 2024; February 3, 2025, read first time and referred to Committee on State Affairs; March 18, 2025, reported adversely, with favorable Committee Substitute by the following vote: Yeas 7, Nays 0; March 18, 2025, sent to printer.) Click here to see the committee vote

COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR S.B. No. 650 By: Hughes

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to requiring the use of electronically readable information to verify a purchaser's age in the retail sale of alcoholic beverages.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Section 109.61, Alcoholic Beverage Code, is amended by adding Subsections (a-1) and (a-2) to read as follows:

(a-1) A person shall access electronically readable information on a driver's license, commercial driver's license, or identification certificate for the purpose of verifying a purchaser's age in any retail sale of an alcoholic beverage. This subsection does not apply to the retail sale of an alcoholic beverage on the premises of the holder of a package store permit.

(a-2) The commission shall not take any disciplinary action against the holder of a permit or license issued under this code for a violation of Subsection (a-1) for the retail sale of an alcoholic beverage made before September 1, 2027. This subsection expires September 1, 2028.

SECTION 2. Not later than September 1, 2027, the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission shall adopt rules to implement Section 109.61(a-1), Alcoholic Beverage Code, as added by this Act.

SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.

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