RESOLUTION ANALYSIS

H.J.R. 102

By: Leach

State Affairs

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

In its 2018 decision in Murphy v. National Collegiate Athletic Association, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down a federal law that prohibited states from legalizing sports betting. Since then, as reported by the American Gaming Association, more than 30 states, as well as Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico, have enacted legislation to authorize sports betting, including Louisiana, Florida, Tennessee, Arkansas, and Arizona. Meanwhile, Texans are currently still unable to legally place mobile sports bets. H.J.R. 102 proposes a constitutional amendment to legalize sports wagering in Texas.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

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

ANALYSIS

H.J.R. 102 proposes an amendment to the Texas Constitution to authorize the legislature by law to authorize and regulate the placing of wagers on sporting events. The law enacted by the legislature may authorize the conduct of sports wagering only by:

· a sports team, as defined by general law, in existence on January 1, 2023;

· a sports organization that held sanctioned annual professional golf tournaments in Texas before January 1, 2023, as part of a national tour of professional golfers;

· a class 1 racetrack in operation on January 1, 2023; or

· a designee of any of these entities.

ELECTION DATE

The constitutional amendment proposed by this joint resolution will be submitted to the voters at an election to be held November 7, 2023.