SRC-SEW S.B. 1197 77(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 1197
77R9148 TBy: Carona
State Affairs
3/13/2001
As Filed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

In 1991, the Texas Commission on Alcohol and Drugs established a program to
address the problem of compulsive gambling.  At this time, there is no
effort being made to determine the impact of compulsive gambling on
individuals, families, businesses, organizations, and communities and what
services should be provided to help those affected by this problem.  As
proposed, S.B. 1197 creates a blue ribbon panel to study and make
recommendations for a strategic plan for the education, prevention, and
treatment of problem gambling.  S.B. 1197 also establishes an interagency
council to coordinate the state's resources in meeting the needs of
individuals, and entities impacted by problem and pathological gambling. 

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 Chapter 461, Health and Safety Code, by adding Section
461.019, as follows: 

Sec.  461.019.  INTERAGENCY COUNCIL ON PROBLEM GAMBLING.  
(a) Establishes the Interagency Council on Problem Gambling (interagency
council) to foster cooperation between agencies in order to meet the needs
of individuals, families, businesses, organizations, and communities
impacted by problem gambling.   

(b) Provides that the membership of the interagency council includes
high-level representatives as appointed by the directors of certain stated
entities. 

(c) Requires the appointed representative of the Health and Human Services
Commission (commission) to serve as the presiding officer of the
interagency council. Authorizes the commission to provide administrative
support to the committee.   

(d) Requires the Texas Council on Problem and Compulsive Gambling to
appoint one or more persons to serve as advisors to the interagency
council. 

(e) Requires the interagency council to meet at least once each quarter of
each calendar year on dates determined by the interagency council members.

(f) Requires the interagency council to make quarterly reports to the
governor, speaker of the house, and lieutenant governor.  Requires the
quarterly report to include the efforts of each agency to address the needs
of Texans impacted by problem gambling.   

SECTION 2.  (a) Establishes a Blue Ribbon Panel on Problem Gambling to
study problem gambling in order to develop a strategic plan to provide
education, prevention, and the treatment of problem and pathological
gambling in Texas.   
 
  (b) Sets forth guidelines for the composition of the panel.

(c) Requires that initial appointments be made no later than December 31,
2001. Requires the governor to appoint one of the members to serve as
presiding officer of the blue ribbon panel.  Provides that Chapter 2110
(State Agency Advisory Committees), Government Code, does not apply to the
panel.  Provides that a member of the panel is not entitled to compensation
or reimbursement by the state for travel expenses related to the business
of the panel, unless the person is a member by virtue of state employment,
in which event the employing agency is required to reimburse the member for
reasonable and necessary expenses.  Authorizes the entities represented by
the members of the panel to provide staff and other support services as
needed by the panel. 

(d) Requires the Texas Council on Problem and Compulsive Gambling to
designate one or more persons to serve as a resource to the committee. 

  (e) Sets forth guidelines concerning the duties of the blue ribbon panel.

(f) Requires the blue ribbon panel to submit a report based on its findings
to the 78th Legislature not later than January 15, 2003.  Requires the
panel to submit to the legislature, as part of its report, a strategic plan
that includes a timetable for implementation. 

SECTION 3.  Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2001.