AUSTIN, Texas (AP) - The Texas Senate today voted to repeal a $5-per-person admission fee on strip clubs that has been ruled unconstitutional.
Senators agreed to replace the 2007 measure with a new tax on sexually oriented business.
The bill now goes to Gov. Rick Perry [pictured] -- even as House members consider a competing bill favored by sexual assault victim advocates.
Money collected under the current fee was sent to a fund to aid sex assault victims and a pool for uninsured Texans.
The new tax would apply to various adult sites -- theaters, video stores, bookstores and other sexually oriented businesses that charge admission fees. It would total 10% of gross admissions receipts.
A House bill would reduce the club entry fee to $3 and dedicate all the money to the sexual assault fund.
The Texas Entertainment Association sued over the so-called "pole tax" admission fee and supports the new 10% tax.
The strip club admissions fee repeal bill is HB982.
