BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 639

By: Lozano

Licensing & Administrative Procedures

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Many local organizations such as volunteer fire departments rely on the ability to conduct charitable bingo games as a way to increase funding. Allowing these organizations to conduct more charitable bingo games per year would provide crucial funding for the purchasing of equipment and other necessities. H.B. 639 seeks to double the number of temporary bingo licenses a qualifying organization may receive annually.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

H.B. 639 amends the Occupations Code to increase from six to 12 the maximum number of temporary bingo licenses that an authorized organization that does not hold a regular bingo license may receive in a calendar year.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2023.