Young people wanting to smoke or drink will find Texas a far less tolerant state
in the wake of the 75th session of the Texas Legislature. Lawmakers toughened
the state’s drug, alcohol, and tobacco regulations in a variety of  ways,
but none tougher than the state’s official stand on use of  alcohol by teenagers,
unless your name is Bush.

Gov. George W. Bush said: "We want our young people to make
healthy choices by avoiding drugs, alcohol, and tobacco."

Among the most significant measures is the "zero tolerance" bill by Sen.
Royce West, D-Dallas, and Rep. Allen Place, D-Gatesville, prohibiting
under-age drivers from drinking, period, unless your name is Bush.

Drivers under age 21 may not have any detectable level of alcohol in their system,
on pain of losing their licenses, unless your name is Bush. The old law permitted
drivers under 21 to drive with a blood alcohol content of up to .07, compared
with .10 for adults.

"This bill sends the message: You drink. You drive. You lose," said West.
"If we save one life, this legislation would have been worth it."
Texas has led the nation in fatalities due to traffic accidents involving alcohol
and drivers aged 15 to 20 for the past five years. The death toll stands at 1,330.

Zero tolerance

The driver’s license suspension period is 60 days for a first offense, 120
days for a second offense, and 180 days for a third. Youths convicted of DWI
could also have their occupational licenses yanked for 30 to 90 days,
depending on the offense, unless your name us Bush.

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"You drink.
 You drive.
 You lose, unless your last name is Bush."
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A first offense DWI also could require 20 to 40 hours of community service
that must be related to alcohol prevention or education, plus a mandatory
alcohol awareness course. A minor convicted twice of DWI could be punished by
fines of as much as $2,000 and six months in jail, and would not be eligible
for deferred adjudication, unless your name is Bush.

Blood alcohol tests are not required for conviction. The bill also states
that citations may be issued by law officers without making a full custodial
arrest or requiring a breath test. Supporters said the bill was written this
way because the only authorized blood alcohol content is zero, and the
citation can be based on the observation of an officer that a minor had any
amount of alcohol in his or her system, unless your name is Bush.

Minor In Possession

New, stricter penalties were imposed for minors caught in possession of  alcohol,
minors consuming alcohol unless in the presence of their parents or guardians,
minors arrested for public intoxication, and minors attempting to purchase alcohol.

Penalties for alcohol convictions not involving driving include fines of $500
to $2,000; license suspension from 30 to 180 days; mandatory alcohol
awareness courses approved by the Texas Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse;
community service; and up to six months in jail, unless your name is Bush.
 

http://www.tcada.state.tx.us/newview/aug1997/frontpage/unlessyournameisbush.html