A private club can get or keep this permit only if it meets the section’s membership, governance, premises, food-service, and fee rules, and it cannot operate a sexually oriented business on the premises in a dry area.
Sec. 32.03. QUALIFICATIONS FOR PERMIT. (a) A private club registration permit may only be issued to a club which meets the requirements of this section. (b) The club must be an association of persons, whether unincorporated or incorporated under the laws of this state, for the promotion of some common object. (c) Members of the club must be passed on and elected by a committee or board made up of members of the club, and no employee of the club shall be eligible to serve on the membership committee or board. (d) No application for membership may be approved until the application has been filed with the chairman of the membership committee or board and approved by the chairman. The committee or board may authorize the chairman or a designated agent to issue preliminary memberships without the approval of the committee or board for a period not exceeding seven days on the request of an applicant for membership. A preliminary member has all of the privileges of membership in the club. If the committee or board does not approve the application before the expiration of the preliminary membership, the club shall pay to the state a fee of $3. The club shall remit the fees and record and report preliminary memberships as the commission or the administrator prescribes. (e) At least 50 members of the club must reside in the county in which the premises of the club are located, or at least 100 members must reside in an area comprised of the county in which the premises of the club is located and an adjacent county or counties. (f) The club must own, lease, or rent a building, or space in a building of such extent and character as in the judgment of the commission is suitable and adequate for the club's members and their guests. (g) The club must provide regular food service adequate for its members and their guests. (h) The club's total annual membership fees, dues, or other income, excluding proceeds from the disposition of alcoholic beverages but including service charges, must be sufficient to defray the annual rental of its leased or rented premises or, if the premises are owned by the club, sufficient to meet the taxes, insurance, and repairs and the interest on any mortgage on the premises. (i) The club's affairs and management must be conducted by a board of directors, executive committee, or similar body chosen by the members at their annual meeting. (j) No member or any officer, agent, or employee of the club may be paid or receive any money as salary or other compensation, directly or indirectly, from the disposition of alcoholic beverages to members of the club and their guests, other than charges for the service of the beverages. (k) A private club registration permit may not be issued to or maintained by a club for a premises located in a dry area if the club operates a sexually oriented business, as defined by Section 243.002, Local Government Code, on the premises. Acts 1977, 65th Leg., p. 436, ch. 194, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1977. Amended by Acts 1979, 66th Leg., p. 1971, ch. 777, Sec. 19, eff. Aug. 27, 1979; Acts 2003, 78th Leg., 3rd C.S., ch. 3, Sec. 21.04(a), eff. Jan. 11, 2004. Amended by: Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 1262 (H.B. 2065), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2005.