By:  Crownover (Senate Sponsor - Fraser)                          H.B. No. 948
	(In the Senate - Received from the House April 14, 2003; 
April 15, 2003, read first time and referred to Committee on State 
Affairs; May 21, 2003, reported adversely, with favorable 
Committee Substitute by the following vote:  Yeas 7, Nays 0; 
May 21, 2003, sent to printer.)


COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR H.B. No. 948                                    By:  Fraser


A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

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.



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