TO:	Honorable Jim Keffer, Chair, House Committee on Ways & Means
FROM:	John S. O'Brien, Deputy Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:	HB9 by Flores (Relating to authorizing the operation of video lottery games on behalf of this state; the creation, powers, and duties of the Texas Gaming and Boxing Commission; the powers and duties of the Texas Lottery Commission, the Texas Racing Commission, and the Texas Commission of Licensing and Regulation, and the regulation of gaming in this state; appropriating money; providing penalties.), As Introduced

The provisions of the bill that are the subject of this analysis are the provisions that would deal with felony sanctions.  The bill would amend the Government Code by creating the offense of unauthorized operation, use, or possession of video lottery terminal, which would be punishable as a felony of the third degree.  The bill would also add the term “video lottery ticket” to offenses currently listed in the Government Code.  The bill would also make the illegal control or operation of a video lottery system punishable as a felony of the third degree.  Finally, the bill would also create the offense of conveyance of video lottery terminal establishment property, which would be punishable as a felony of the third degree. 
 
No significant impact on the programs and workload of state corrections agencies or on the demand for resources and services of those agencies is anticipated from any provisions of this bill that authorize or require a change in the sanctions applicable to adults convicted of felony crimes.