79R4377 YDB-D

By:  Turner                                                     H.J.R. No. 38 



A JOINT RESOLUTION

proposing a constitutional amendment authorizing the operation of 
video lottery games on behalf of the state by persons licensed to 
conduct wagering on horse or greyhound races, persons licensed to 
operate the games at additional locations, and recognized Indian 
tribes.
	BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                       
	SECTION 1.  Section 47, Article III, Texas Constitution, is 
amended by amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsections (f), (g), 
and (h) to read as follows:
	(a)  The Legislature shall pass laws prohibiting lotteries 
and gift enterprises in this State other than those authorized by 
Subsections (b), (d), [and] (e), and (f) of this section.
	(f)  The Legislature by general law may authorize one or more 
of the following legal entities to operate video lottery games on 
behalf of the State as a form of lottery authorized by Subsection 
(e) of this section:
		(1)  a person licensed in this State to conduct 
wagering on a horse race or greyhound race;
		(2)  an Indian tribe recognized by the United States 
government under federal law that:
			(A)  enters into a contract with the State, in 
accordance with State law, that authorizes the tribe to operate the 
games; and
			(B)  operates the games on premises designated by 
the tribe for video lottery activity on land recognized as tribal 
land of that tribe by the federal government on January 1, 2005; or
		(3)  a person licensed by the State to operate video 
lottery games at one of nine additional locations in the various 
geographic regions of this State.
	(g)  For purposes of Subsection (f) of this section, "video 
lottery game" means a game of chance that may be played for 
consideration by an individual on an electronic machine or video 
display and in which the player may win a thing of value each time 
the game is played.
	(h)  Notwithstanding Section 56, Article III, Texas 
Constitution, the Legislature may specify the locations for which 
the nine additional licenses may be issued.
	SECTION 2.  This proposed constitutional amendment shall be 
submitted to the voters at an election to be held November 8, 2005.  
The ballot shall be printed to permit voting for or against the 
proposition:  "The constitutional amendment authorizing the 
operation of video lottery games on behalf of the state by persons 
licensed to conduct wagering on horse or greyhound races, persons 
licensed to operate video lottery games at nine additional 
locations, and recognized Indian tribes."