78R6607 RCJ-F

By:  Hartnett                                                     H.B. No. 1468



A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to certain prohibitions against operating video 
sweepstakes in this state.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Section 43.001, Business & Commerce Code, as 
added by Chapter 1119, Acts of the 77th Legislature, Regular 
Session, 2001, is amended by adding Subdivision (8) to read as 
follows:
		(8)  "Video sweepstakes" means a coin-operated machine 
with a video interface operated for pleasure that dispenses as a 
reward for play:
			(A)  money;                                                           
			(B)  items redeemable for money; or                                   
			(C)  merchandise.                                                     
	SECTION 2.  The heading of Section 43.002, Business &
Commerce Code, as added by Chapter 1119, Acts of the 77th 
Legislature, Regular Session, 2001, is amended to read as follows:
	Sec. 43.002.  SWEEPSTAKES BY MAIL [OFFENSES].          
	SECTION 3.  Chapter 43, Business & Commerce Code, as added by 
Chapter 1119, Acts of the 77th Legislature, Regular Session, 2001, 
is amended by adding Section 43.0025 to read as follows:
	Sec. 43.0025.  VIDEO SWEEPSTAKES.  A person may not operate 
a video sweepstakes in this state.  This section does not authorize 
any otherwise  illegal activity.
	SECTION 4.  Section 43.003, Business & Commerce Code, as 
added by Chapter 1119, Acts of the 77th Legislature, Regular 
Session, 2001, is amended by adding Subsection (p) to read as 
follows:
	(p)  Section 43.0025 does not apply to a video sweepstakes 
operated at a facility of a nonprofit veterans organization.
	SECTION 5.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2003.