S.B. No. 700
AN ACT
relating to the use of electronic processes by and electronic
information submitted to the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission;
authorizing a fee.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 5, Alcoholic Beverage
Code, is amended by adding Section 5.321 to read as follows:
Sec. 5.321. ELECTRONIC SIGNATURES. Any electronic
information, record, or other document, including an application,
submitted to the commission that has an electronic signature with
the required specific identifiers of the signatory has the same
force and effect as a manual signature before a notary public and is
considered a sworn statement for purposes of Section 101.69,
notwithstanding any other law.
SECTION 2. Section 5.55, Alcoholic Beverage Code, is
amended to read as follows:
Sec. 5.55. ELECTRONIC PROCESSING OF LICENSES, [OR] PERMITS,
AND CERTIFICATES. (a) The commission shall expedite the
processing of original and renewal applications for licenses, [and]
permits, and certificates by using electronic means, including the
Internet.
(b) The commission or administrator may enter into an
agreement with another agency of this state to provide for the
issuance of original or renewal licenses, [or] permits, or
certificates through the use of electronic means, including use of
the Internet, to facilitate the licensing process.
(c) A reasonable service fee may be charged to applicants
who choose to use electronic or Internet service to apply for
original or renewal licenses, [or] permits, or certificates [or to
renew licenses or permits], subject to other laws limiting or
defining those fees; provided, that no service fee may be charged by
the commission or by another agency to those applicants who choose
not to utilize the electronic or Internet method to apply for an
original or a renewal license, [or] permit, or certificate.
SECTION 3. Section 5.321, Alcoholic Beverage Code, as added
by this Act, applies only to a document submitted to the Texas
Alcoholic Beverage Commission on or after the effective date of
this Act.
SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2015.
______________________________ ______________________________
President of the Senate Speaker of the House
I hereby certify that S.B. No. 700 passed the Senate on
April 9, 2015, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0.
______________________________
Secretary of the Senate
I hereby certify that S.B. No. 700 passed the House on
May 5, 2015, by the following vote: Yeas 145, Nays 0, two present
not voting.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
Approved:
______________________________
Date
______________________________
Governor