BILL ANALYSIS


                                                        H.B. 2429
                                       By: Eiland (Patterson, J.)
                                                    State Affairs
                                                          5-25-95
                              Senate Committee Report (Unamended)
BACKGROUND

Ships that dock in Texas waters are allowed to take passengers out
to international waters where gambling is legal.  However, while
riding into international waters, passengers may not be in a room
where the gambling equipment is housed.  This provision limits the
types of boats that can be used for these gambling cruises.

PURPOSE

As proposed, H.B. 2429 authorizes passengers on gambling ships to
be in the same room as the gambling devices when the ship is in
state waters.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

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

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Section 47.09(b), Penal Code, to provide that it
is an affirmative defense to prosecution under Sections 47.04,
47.06(a), and 47.06(c) that the gambling device, equipment, or
paraphernalia is aboard an ocean-going vessel that enters the
territorial waters of this state to call at a port in this state if
at all times while the vessel is in the territorial waters of this
state all devices, equipment, or paraphernalia are covered or
disabled and no person other than the master and crew of the vessel
is permitted to uncover or remove any disabling device.

SECTION 2. Makes application of this Act prospective.

SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 1995.

SECTION 4. Emergency clause.