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


Senate Research Center   C.S.S.B. 257
77R6465 YDB-DBy: Carona
State Affairs
2/13/2001
Committee Report (Substituted)


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, C.S.S.B. 257 provides that a
minor who purchases a lottery ticket 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 OF AGE.  Provides that an individual who is
younger than 18 years of age commits an offense if the individual purchases
a ticket or falsely represents the individual to be 18 years of age or
older by displaying false or fraudulent evidence misrepresenting the
individual'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.  Provides that an offense under Subsection (b) is
punishable by a fine not to exceed $250. 

SECTION 2.  Effective date: September 1, 2001.

SECTION 3.  Makes application of this Act prospective.

SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE CHANGES

SECTION 1.  Amends As Filed S.B. 257, the heading to Section 466.3051,
Government Code, to replace "18 years old" with "18 years of age."
Replaces "himself or herself" with "the individual." Deletes text in
proposed Subsection (f) providing that an offense under Subsection (a) is a
Class B misdemeanor if it is shown on the trial of the offense that the
defendant has been previously convicted under Subsection (a) and makes
conforming changes relating to the deletion. 

SECTION 2.  No change.

SECTION 3.  No change.