HBA-CMT H.B. 1949 77(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 1949
By: Keel
Licensing & Administrative Procedures
3/2/2001
Introduced



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Current law does not allow for the sale of wine in a dry area except under
certain conditions. In 1997, the Texas wine industry, consisting of 27
wineries, produced more than one million gallons of wine and a total
economic impact of $104 million. The largest producers within the Texas
wine industry typically sell most of their wine through wholesale
distributors, while the smaller producers usually do not market through
wholesale distributors. House Bill 1949 allows the holder of a winery
permit to hold a wine festival to sell and dispense wine.  

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 1949 amends the Alcoholic Beverage Code to authorize the holder
of a winery permit to sell wine to consumers and dispense wine without
charge for consumption on or off the holder's premises at a wine festival
that is approved by the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (commission),
organized to celebrate and promote this state's wine industry, and held in
whole or in part on the premises of the permit holder. The bill prohibits a
winery permit holder from holding more than four such wine festivals each
year. The bill authorizes the holder of a winery permit to sell wine to the
holder of a temporary or special wine and beer retailer's permit, a daily
temporary mixed beverage permit, or a specified private club permit for
such an event.  

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2001.