Bill
HB 1844
84(R) - 2015
House Licensing & Administrative Procedures
House Licensing & Administrative Procedures
Vote Recommendation
Neutral
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Neutral
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Neutral
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Neutral
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Neutral
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Neutral
Author(s)
Susan King
Bill Caption
Relating to the offense of providing an alcoholic beverage to a minor; increasing a criminal penalty.
Fiscal Notes
The bill would amend the Alcoholic Beverage Code to enhance the punishment for providing an
alcoholic beverage to a minor from a Class A misdemeanor to a state jail felony under certain
circumstances. This analysis assumes implementing the provisions of the bill would not result in a
significant impact on state correctional agencies.
Local Government Impact: A Class A misdemeanor is punishable by a fine of not more than $4,000,confinement in jail for a
term not to exceed one year, or both. The bill may reduce the offender population in county jails.
According to the Texas Commission on Jail Standards, the average cost for an inmate in a county
jail is $60.01 per day.
Bill Analysis
HB 1844 would amend the Alcoholic Beverage Code to enhance the punishment for providing an
alcoholic beverage to a minor from a Class A misdemeanor to a state jail felony if it is shown on the trial of the offense that the person purchased
an alcoholic beverage for or gave or made an alcoholic beverage
available to a minor who, as a result of the consumption of the
alcoholic beverage, caused another person to suffer serious bodily
injury or death.
Vote Recommendation Notes
The penalty seems harsh, but at the same time it has very limited application, provided minors don't drink, drive, and hurt/kill people after obtaining alcohol from a negligent adult in large droves. This will not prevent minors from obtaining alcohol but should increase the responsibility of adults who decide to provide alcohol to minors. Due to this conflict, we are neutral on this legislation.