Bill
HB 1999
85(R) - 2017
House Licensing & Administrative Procedures
House Licensing & Administrative Procedures
Alcoholic Beverage Code
Civil Justice
Crimes
Criminal Procedure
Vote Recommendation
Yes
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Neutral
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Neutral
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Positive
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Positive
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Neutral
Author(s)
Celia Israel
Bill Caption
Relating to a violation regarding the purchase, possession, or consumption of alcoholic beverages by a minor or the misrepresentation of age by a minor; authorizing a civil penalty; creating a criminal offense.
Fiscal Notes
Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for HB1999, As Introduced: a positive impact of $2,950,350 through the biennium ending August 31, 2019.
The bill would make no appropriation but could provide the legal basis for an appropriation of funds to implement the provisions of the bill.
Bill Analysis
HB 1999 would change the penalty structure for alcohol related offenses by a minor. Currently a first and second alcohol related offense is punishable as a crime which escalates to a higher penalty on third offense. This legislation would make the first to offenses by minors of certain alcohol related laws subject to civil rather than criminal offenses. A third offense would be a criminal offense punishable as a Class C misdemeanor.
Vote Recommendation Notes
We support making penalties more appropriate to the offense and we support holding youth personally responsible for the commission of these offenses. This bill would accomplish both of these ends. For this reason we support HB 1999.
Organizations Supporting
Texans Care for Children
Texas Appleseed
Texas Public Policy Foundation
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