H.B. No. 2702 amends Section 418.012 of the Government Code to prohibit the governor from issuing executive orders, proclamations, or regulations that restrict the operation or hours of operation for businesses selling alcoholic beverages if those businesses are organizations exempt from federal taxation under Section 501(a) of the Internal Revenue Code, specifically those described by Section 501(c)(19) that benefit veterans of the United States armed forces. This new provision ensures that such veteran organizations are not adversely affected by restrictions during a declared state of disaster, although it does not apply to regulations issued during a natural disaster.

The bill clarifies that the amended provisions will only apply to declarations of a state of disaster that are issued or renewed on or after the effective date of the Act. Declarations made prior to this date will continue to be governed by the law in effect before the amendment. The Act is set to take effect immediately if it receives a two-thirds vote from both houses of the legislature; otherwise, it will take effect on September 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Government Code 418.012 (Government Code 418)
House Committee Report: Government Code 418.012 (Government Code 418)
Engrossed: Government Code 418.012 (Government Code 418)