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H.B. No. 948
AN ACT
relating to the composition of the Texas Racing Commission.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 2.02(a), Texas Racing Act (Article 179e,
Vernon's Texas Civil Statutes), is amended to read as follows:
(a) The commission consists of seven [six] members
appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the senate
and two ex officio members who shall have the right to vote. The ex
officio members are:
(1) the chairman of the Public Safety Commission or a
member of the Public Safety Commission designated by the chairman
of the Public Safety Commission; and
(2) the comptroller of public accounts or the
comptroller's designee.
SECTION 2. Section 2.03(a), Texas Racing Act (Article 179e,
Vernon's Texas Civil Statutes), is amended to read as follows:
(a) Appointed members hold office for staggered terms of six
years with two or three members' terms expiring February 1 of each
odd-numbered year. A member holds office until that member's
successor is appointed and qualifies.
SECTION 3. Section 2.05(a), Texas Racing Act (Article 179e,
Vernon's Texas Civil Statutes), is amended to read as follows:
(a) Five [Four] of the appointed members of the commission
must be representatives of the general public and have general
knowledge of business or agribusiness. At least one of those
appointed members may be a veterinarian, and being licensed as a
veterinarian satisfies the requirement that the person have general
knowledge of business or agribusiness. One additional appointed
member must have special knowledge or experience related to
greyhound racing and one additional appointed member must have
special knowledge or experience related to horse racing. A person
is not eligible for appointment as a member of the commission if the
person or the person's spouse:
(1) is licensed by the commission, except as a
commissioner;
(2) is employed by the commission or participates in
the management of a business entity or other organization regulated
by the commission or receiving funds from or through the
commission;
(3) owns or controls, directly or indirectly, more
than a 10 percent interest in a business entity or other
organization regulated by the commission or receiving funds from or
through the commission; or
(4) uses or receives a substantial amount of tangible
goods, services, or funds from or through the commission, other
than compensation or reimbursement authorized by law for commission
membership, attendance, or expenses.
SECTION 4. (a) This Act takes effect September 1, 2003.
(b) The change in law made by this Act relating to the
qualifications for membership on the Texas Racing Commission does
not affect the eligibility of a member of the commission serving
immediately before the effective date of this Act to continue to
serve on the commission for the term to which the member was
appointed. As soon as possible on or after September 1, 2003, the
governor shall appoint an additional public member to the Texas
Racing Commission for a term expiring on February 1, 2009.
______________________________ ______________________________
President of the Senate Speaker of the House
I certify that H.B. No. 948 was passed by the House on April
10, 2003, by a non-record vote; and that the House concurred in
Senate amendments to H.B. No. 948 on May 30, 2003, by a non-record
vote.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
I certify that H.B. No. 948 was passed by the Senate, with
amendments, on May 28, 2003, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays
0.
______________________________
Secretary of the Senate
APPROVED: __________________
Date
__________________
Governor