HBA-NRS H.B. 2330 77(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 2330
By: Uresti
Licensing & Administrative Procedures
3/14/2001
Introduced



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Consumption of alcoholic beverages by minors is a problem in Texas. Many
minors are arrested while driving under the influence of alcohol or are
admitted to alcohol treatment programs for an addiction to alcohol. Minors
commit an offense if they consume or acquire an alcoholic beverage. One of
the ways in which minors acquire an alcoholic beverage is through the
purchase of that beverage by an adult. House Bill 2330 increases from a
Class B misdemeanor to a Class A misdemeanor the penalty for an offense
committed by an adult who purchases, gives, or makes available alcohol to a
minor. 

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 2330 amends the Alcoholic Beverage Code to increase from a Class
B to a Class A misdemeanor the punishment for an offense of purchasing an
alcoholic beverage for, or giving or with criminal negligence making
available an alcoholic beverage, to a minor by an adult who is not that
minor's legal guardian. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2001.