Bill

HB 1844

84(R) - 2015
House Licensing & Administrative Procedures
House Licensing & Administrative Procedures

Vote Recommendation

Neutral
  • Neutral
  • Neutral
  • Neutral
  • Neutral
  • 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.