TITLE: Relating to package store permits.

SUMMARY: Relating to package store permits.

FULL TEXT:
AN ACT relating to package store permits. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Chapter 22, Alcoholic Beverage Code, is amended by adding a new Section 22.51 to read as follows: Sec. 22.51. MORATORIUM AND LIMITATION ON THE ISSUANCE OF NEW PACKAGE STORE PERMITS. The commission shall temporarily freeze the number of package store permits issued in this state. The commission shall adopt rules and regulations which prohibit issuance of new package store permits in any county in which the number of package store permits exceeds one per every 15,000 in population according to the most recent federal census. The rules shall include a procedure for issuance of new package store permits by lottery in counties in which new package store permits are authorized under this limit. The rules shall provide that a minimum of 2 package store permits may be authorized in every county. The rules shall provide that package store permits within a county shall be grandfathered, and may be moved to a different location within the same county. SECTION 2. The changes in law made by this Act take effect only if Section 22.16, Alcoholic Beverage Code, as that section existed on May 1, 2019, is: (1) repealed by an Act of the 86th Legislature, Regular Session, 2019; or (2) found invalid or unconstitutional by the supreme court or a lower court and that finding is final and not appealable. SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.