Texas House Bill HB2047

Texas 2015 - 84th Regular

Caption

Relating to the ability of a municipality to regulate the sale of alcohol near a public school.

Impact

If enacted, HB 2047 will have significant implications for how alcohol sales are regulated in relation to educational institutions. The bill attempts to strengthen the collaborative efforts between school boards and local authorities to enhance student safety. This amendment is particularly relevant for larger municipalities, indicating a tailored approach based on population size, which may not be applicable to smaller towns or cities. The new regulations could help in addressing concerns related to underage drinking and maintaining a safe environment for students.

Summary

House Bill 2047 seeks to amend the Education Code in Texas regarding the ability of municipalities to regulate the sale of alcohol near public schools. This amendment allows the board of trustees of a school district to work alongside local law enforcement and the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission to maintain an alcohol-free environment for students during their ingress and egress to school. Additionally, it empowers school districts in municipalities with populations over 900,000 to petition for the establishment of a 1,000-foot alcohol-free zone surrounding schools, as per the Alcoholic Beverage Code.

Contention

While proponents of HB 2047 advocate for the increased ability of municipalities to enforce stricter regulations on alcohol sales near schools, there may be concerns regarding the effectiveness of such measures. Critics might argue that the petitioning process could lead to discrepancies in enforcement across different municipalities, creating confusion and potentially infringing on the rights of local business owners. Furthermore, the amendment places a burden on larger municipalities to take proactive measures, which might not be as feasible for smaller districts with fewer resources.