BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

 

H.B. 1018

By: Geren

Licensing & Administrative Procedures

Committee Report (Unamended)

 

 

 

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

 

Interested parties have expressed concerns about a newly marketed product known as powdered alcohol, contending that it increases the availability of alcohol to underage drinkers, may be added to already potent alcoholic beverages, and increases the methods for ingesting alcohol. H.B. 1018 seeks to address these concerns by amending provisions relating to illicit and prohibited alcoholic beverages. 

 

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

 

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

 

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

 

ANALYSIS

 

H.B. 1018 amends the Alcoholic Beverage Code to expand the definition of "illicit beverage" to include powdered alcohol. The bill expands the prohibition against manufacturing, importing, selling, or possessing for the purpose of sale an alcoholic beverage made from certain materials to include serving an alcoholic beverage made from such materials and adds powdered alcohol, whether alone or reconstituted, to the list of materials to which that prohibition applies.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE

 

September 1, 2015.