Texas Holding $11.2 Million in Strip Club Fees

AUSTIN, Texas — The state Comptroller's Office is holding $11.2 million in fees collected from strip club patrons pending the action of an appeals court.

A $5 fee for strip club patrons was passed into law in 2007, with the money collected to fund sexual assault services in 54 Texas counties and health insurance programs. Last year, a judge struck down the law, saying that topless dancing was protected as free speech and that the state couldn't show a link between strip clubs and inadequate health insurance. The state has appealed, and the appeals court has not yet ruled.

Though the Texas Comptroller's Office continues to collect the fee, only some topless clubs are paying it. Some clubs have argued that collecting the money while the bill is under consideration in court is unfair and affects their cash flow as the economy slows. The $11.2 million collected is lower than the $40 million that legislative analysts projected in the law's first year.

Rep. Ellen Cohen, who authored the original 2007 bill, is pushing a new version this year, which drops the charge to $3 and sends all proceeds to sexual assault programs. Lawyers for the clubs say they'll take it to court if it passes.

"We will continue to fight until they stop filing unconstitutional legislation," said Stewart Whitehead, an attorney for the Texas Entertainment Association, which represents topless clubs in Texas. "These changes don't get them around the fact that they are taxing constitutionally protected speech."

R.J. DeSilva, a spokesman for Texas Comptroller Susan Combs, said if the strip club fee is upheld in the courts, businesses that do not collect the fee will face financial penalties. If the fee is overturned, he said, all collected money will be returned to the clubs.

Related:  

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

b-Vibe Butt Plug, Anal Beads Named Among GQ's 'Best Anal Toys'

B-Vibe's Triplet Vibrating Anal Beads and Rimming Plug 2 were both named among GQ Magazine's "Best Anal Toys" roundup.

Update: Pornhub Will Not Block Ohio, Despite AV Law

Pornhub parent company Aylo will not block access to its websites in Ohio, despite new state age verification rules that came into effect Sept. 30.

Orion Unveils 6 New Styles From 'Abierta Fina' Line

Orion Wholesale has introduced six new styles from its Abierta Fina collection.

Full Circle Debuts Wand Vibe Collection

Full Circle has introduced new vibrating wands.

Blush Introduces 'Daydream' Dildo From Avant Line

Blush has debuted the Daydream dildo from its Avant Collection.

Oh Collective Debuts 'Date Night Bonbons' Gift Set

Oh Collective has introduced its new Date Night Bonbons gift set.

Honey Play Box Launches AI Companion

Honey Play Box has launched its AI Companion.

Liberator Names Genevieve Lariviere Global Sales Director

Liberator has appointed Genevieve Lariviere as its new global sales director.

Judge Dismisses Some Claims in 'Children of Pornhub' Trafficking Suit

A United States district judge on Friday dismissed some but not all claims against Aylo in a long-running case involving CSAM allegations featured in the influential 2020 New York Times article “The Children of Pornhub.”

Pjur, Dreamlove Launch 30th Anniversary Campaign

Pjur and Dreamlove have launched a POS campaign to mark the lubricant brand’s 30th anniversary.

Show More