78R5940 YDB-F


By:  Haggerty                                                     H.B. No. 1317



A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the authorization and regulation of progressive bingo 
games.    
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Section 2001.002, Occupations Code, is amended 
by adding Subdivision (23-a) to read as follows:
		(23-a)  "Progressive bingo" means a bingo game:                        
			(A)  in which a specified number of bingo numbers 
or symbols are selected during a single bingo occasion and the 
winner is the first player to complete a specific pattern on the 
player's bingo card;
			(B)  that continues over successive bingo 
occasions of the same licensed authorized organization until a 
player wins; and
			(C)  for which the prize amount is increased on 
each successive bingo occasion until a player wins.
	SECTION 2.  Subchapter I, Chapter 2001, Occupations Code, is 
amended by adding Section 2001.421 to read as follows:
	Sec. 2001.421.  PROGRESSIVE BINGO GAMES.  (a)  A licensed 
authorized organization may conduct a progressive bingo game.
	(b)  Only one progressive bingo game may be conducted during 
a bingo occasion.
	(c)  Section 2001.420(a) does not apply to a progressive 
bingo game.  The prizes awarded in a progressive bingo game are not 
included in the aggregated value of prizes awarded at a single bingo 
occasion for purposes of Section 2001.420(b).
	(d)  The prize offered or awarded for a progressive bingo 
game may not exceed $750 at the first bingo occasion during which 
the game is played and may be increased by not more than $500 at each 
successive bingo occasion at which the game is played until a game 
is won.
	(e)  If the prize for a progressive bingo game is not awarded 
at a bingo occasion, the progressive bingo game must be continued at 
a future bingo occasion of the same organization until the game is 
won.
	(f)  A consolation prize of not more than $250 for a 
progressive bingo game may be awarded at each bingo occasion during 
which the game is played.
	(g)  A licensed authorized organization conducting a 
progressive bingo game must post the rules for the progressive 
bingo game as part of the organization's house rules before the 
start of the bingo occasion.  Except as otherwise required by 
commission rule, the posted rules must remain in effect until the 
game is won.
	(h)  If more than one licensed authorized organization 
conducts bingo at the same location, each organization is 
responsible for that organization's progressive bingo game.
	(i)  A licensed authorized organization conducting a 
progressive bingo game must maintain adequate records relating to 
the game as required by commission rule.  The records must:
		(1)  include the increase in the prize amount at each 
bingo occasion at which the game is continued; and
		(2)  account for all gross receipts for each 
progressive bingo game. 
	(j)  Sections 2001.502 and 2001.503 apply to a prize awarded 
in a progressive bingo game, including a consolation prize.
	(k)  The commission shall adopt rules to administer this 
section.     
	SECTION 3.  (a)  The Texas Lottery Commission shall adopt 
rules to administer progressive bingo games under Section 2001.421, 
Occupations Code, as added by this Act, not later than October 1, 
2003, and may adopt the initial rules in the manner provided by law 
for emergency rules.
	(b)  A licensed authorized organization may not conduct a 
progressive bingo game under Section 2001.421, Occupations Code, as 
added by this Act, before the commission adopts the rules required 
by Subsection (a) of this section.
	SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives 
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as 
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this 
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this 
Act takes effect September 1, 2003.