SRC-DPW H.B. 844 76(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   H.B. 844
76R3248 GJH-FBy: Wilson (Armbrister)
Finance
4/20/1999
Engrossed


DIGEST 

In 1997, the 75th Legislature passed legislation to place a limit on the
total amount of lottery prizes that may be awarded in a fiscal year.  From
fiscal year 1992 through fiscal year 1997, the Texas Lottery experienced
five years of sales growth.  After the enactment of the legislation to
reduce the payout, total sales for the fiscal year 1998 decreased by 17 and
one-half percent.  This bill would remove the current limit placed on the
total amount of state lottery prizes that may be awarded in a fiscal year. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, H.B. 844 removes the current limit placed on the total amount
of state lottery prizes that may be awarded in a fiscal year. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, institution, or agency. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Section 466.015(c), Government Code, to delete an
exception from the rules governing prizes on winning lottery tickets which
prohibits the total amount of prizes awarded from exceeding the amount
described in Subsection (d). 

SECTION 2. Repealer: Section 466.015(d), Government Code (regarding the
total amount of lottery prizes that may be awarded for all lottery games in
any fiscal year). 

SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 1999.

SECTION 4. Emergency clause.