LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
                                   Austin, Texas
         
                                   FISCAL NOTE
                               75th Regular Session
         
                                  May 18, 1997
         
         
      TO: Honorable Kenneth Armbrister, Chair            IN RE:  House Bill No. 2086, Committee Report 2nd House, Substituted
          Committee on State Affairs                              By: Palmer
          Senate
          Austin, Texas
         
         
         
         
         FROM:  John Keel, Director    
         
In response to your request for a Fiscal Note on HB2086 ( relating 
to the regulation and operation of bingo.) this office has detemined 
the following:
         
         Biennial Net Impact to General Revenue Funds by HB2086-Committee Report 2nd House, Substituted
         
Implementing the provisions of the bill would result in a net 
negative impact of $(315,217) to General Revenue Related Funds 
through the biennium ending August 31, 1999.
         

         
 
Fiscal Analysis
 
The bill would amend the Bingo Enabling Act as it 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.  The revised provisions would take effect 
September 1, 1997.

The bill would add a system service provider 
as a member of the bingo advisory committee currently authorized 
under the Act and would require the Texas Lottery Commission 
to adopt rules not later than July 1, 1997 governing both the 
operation of bingo and distribution of bingo proceeds for charitable 
purposes as revised by the bill. The bill would allow the advertising 
of bingo sessions and prizes by bingo licensees or by the commission. 
 Licensed operators could conduct a charitable raffle under 
the Charitable Raffle Enabling Act at a bingo session.  The 
bill raises the allowable limit for a prize from $500 to $750 
for any single game of bingo.  Also, licensed operators could 
award a door prize, provided that the value of the door prize 
was no greater than $250.   The bill would increase the percentage 
of persons who could use a card minding device to 40 percent 
from 30 percent.
 
Methodolgy
 
The Comptroller of Public Accounts estimates the bill would 
have no significant fiscal effect on the state's revenue or 
cash flow.  However, the Texas Lottery Commission estimates 
that three (3) new staff positions would be needed  to implement 
the provisions of the bill.  Additional costs for start-up of 
the training program and refinement of the required new rules 
would be included.  Other support costs associated with the 
new staff are also included.  Initial costs of developing rules 
by the July 1997 directive would be absorbed with  current appropriated 
funds.  Should the commission decide to contract out for training 
services for licensees, there could be a reduced fiscal impact 
of implementing that section of the bill.
The probable fiscal implications of implementing the provisions 
of the bill during each of the first five years following passage 
is estimated as follows:
 
Five Year Impact:
 
Fiscal Year Probable           Change in Number   
            Savings/(Cost)     of State                                                                   
            from General       Employees from                                                             
            Revenue Fund       FY 1997                                                                    
            0001                                                                                           
       1998        ($155,730)               3.0                                                      
       1998         (159,487)               3.0                                                      
       2000         (163,378)               3.0                                                      
       2001         (167,435)               3.0                                                      
       2002         (171,582)               3.0                                                      
 
 
         Net Impact on General Revenue Related Funds:
 
The probable fiscal implication to General Revenue related funds 
during each of the first five years is estimated as follows:
 
              Fiscal Year      Probable Net Postive/(Negative)
                               General Revenue Related Funds
                                             Funds
               1998           ($155,730)
               1999            (159,487)
               2000            (163,378)
               2001            (167,435)
               2002            (171,582)
 
          
   Source:            Agencies:   
                                         362   Texas Lottery Commission
                      LBB Staff:   JK ,JD ,PH