Enrolled Bill Summary

            House Bill 2086 amends the Bingo Enabling Act to increase the maximum prize value for a single bingo game to $750, permit a charitable raffle to be conducted while bingo is being played, permit the awarding of a door prize valued at $250 or less at bingo games, and allow the Texas Lottery Commission to advertise bingo. The act increases maximum usage of electronic card-minding devices and establishes certain requirements for a commercial license to lease bingo premises. It requires the commission to ascertain prior to granting a commercial license to lease a bingo premises that the funds to be used to prepare the premises meet certain requirements; prohibits a foreign entity, nonresident individual, or publicly traded corporation from obtaining a commercial license to lease a bingo premises; permits a system service provider to use bar codes on bingo paper and purchase goods or services from a licensed manufacturer; and requires the commission to include a system service provider as a member of the bingo advisory committee.

            House Bill 2086 establishes provisions related to temporary suspension of a bingo license and for certain investigations by the commission, permits licensees to deduct from gross receipts the cost of goods sold by the organization, and permits recreational bingo to be administered on behalf of patients in a Veterans Administration medical center or military hospital. The act establishes a training requirement for the person responsible for a bingo operation.

            House Bill 2086 applies to the operation of a bingo game, the award of prizes, the disbursement of funds for a charitable purpose, or other action taken on or after October 1, 1997.