HBA-CMT H.B. 2444 77(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 2444
By: Davis, John
Licensing & Administrative Procedures
3/15/2001
Introduced



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Currently, the Lou Lawler Seafarers' Center is unable to serve alcoholic
beverages to the seamen who stay there because the City of Morgan's Point
recently voted to become a dry municipality.  House Bill 2444 amends the
definition of a fraternal organization to include a chapter, member, or
other local unit of an American national fraternal organization of merchant
seafarers, allowing such an organization to obtain a private alcoholic
beverage license without having to pay extra costs and fees normally
associated with a private club.  

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does
not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, department, agency, or institution. 

ANALYSIS

House Bill 2444 amends the Alcoholic Beverage Code to include in the
definition of "fraternal organization" a chapter, member, or other local
unit of an American national fraternal organization that promotes the
moral, educational, social, and recreational welfare of merchant seafarers,
and that as owner, lessee, or occupant has operated an establishment for
such purposes for at least one year.  The bill requires the fraternal
organization to actively operate in not fewer than 12 states, have at least
six local units in this state, and have at least one unit in this state
that has been in active, continuous existence for at least 15 years.   

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or if the Act does not receive the necessary vote, the Act
takes effect September 1, 2001.