SRC-SEW S.B. 257 77(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 257
77R3460 YDB-FBy: Carona
State Affairs
1/23/2001
As Filed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

While current Texas law prohibits sales agents or their employees from
selling lottery tickets to minors, the law does not prohibit minors from
purchasing lottery tickets.  As proposed, S.B. 257 provides that a minor
who purchases a lottery tickets commits a misdemeanor offense punishable by
a fine not to exceed $250. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

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

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Section 466.3051, Government Code, as follows:

Sec. 466.3051.  New heading:  SALE OF TICKET TO OR PURCHASE OF TICKET BY
PERSON YOUNGER THAN 18 YEARS OLD.  Provides that an individual under 18
years of age commits an offense if the individual purchases a ticket or
falsely claims to be 18 years of age or older by displaying false or
fraudulent evidence misrepresenting the person's age in order to purchase a
ticket.  Provides a defense for an individual younger than 18 participating
in a Texas Lottery Commission or other appropriate entity's inspection or
investigation regarding compliance with this section.  Provides that an
offense under Subsection (a) is a Class C misdemeanor unless the defendant
is shown to have been previously convicted under Subsection (a), in which
case the offense is a Class B misdemeanor.  Provides that an offense under
Subsection (b) is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine not to exceed $250.
Makes conforming changes. 

SECTION 2.  Effective date:  September 1, 2001.

SECTION 3.  Makes application of this Act prospective.