BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

Senate Research Center                                                                                                        S.B. 770

80R6568 BEF-F                                                                                                     By: Van de Putte

                                                                                                                                       State Affairs

                                                                                                                                            3/23/2007

                                                                                                                                              As Filed

 

 

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

 

Currently, there is no money in the Veterans' Assistance Fund. This legislation provides money for the account through earnings from a lottery game created for that purpose.

 

As proposed, S.B. 770 establishes a Texas veterans assistance game in the Texas lottery, proceeds of which are to be deposited in the permanent fund for veterans assistance. The fund can provide for enhancements or improvements to veterans' assistance programs, including representation and counseling; and make grants to local communities to address veterans' needs.

 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

 

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

 

SECTION 1.  Amends Subchapter B, Chapter 466, Government Code, by adding Section 466.027, as follows:

 

Sec. 466.027.  VETERANS ASSISTANCE GAME.  (a)  Requires the Texas Lottery Commission (commission) to operate an instant-ticket lottery game to benefit the permanent fund for veterans' assistance established by Section 403.108.

 

(b)  Requires the commission to determine certain criteria regarding the manner in which the game is conducted, make tickets to the game available for sale continuously to the extent practicable, and change certain aspects of the game regularly to ensure that the game remains competitive with other instant-ticket lottery games offered by the commission.

 

(c)  Requires the commission to market and advertise the lottery game operated under this section in a manner intended to inform the general public of certain information.  Requires the game tickets to clearly state that the game proceeds are used to benefit the veterans in this state.  Authorizes the Texas Veterans Commission to make recommendations to the commission relating to the marketing and advertising of the game.

 

(d)  Requires the commission to encourage each sales agent that sells lottery game tickets to sell tickets to the game operated under this section.

 

SECTION 2.  Amends Section 466.355(b), Government Code, as follows:

 

(b)  Requires the portion of the state lottery account balance attributable to the veterans assistance game to be transferred on or before the 15th day of each month to the permanent funds for veterans' assistance.

 

SECTION 3.  Amends Section 403.108(a), Government Code, to include  money transferred from the veterans assistance lottery game among the sources of money comprising the permanent fund for veterans' assistance.

 

SECTION 4.  (a)  Makes application of this Act prospective.

 

(b)  Requires the Texas Lottery Commission to establish and begin selling tickets to the lottery game as required by Section 466.027, Government Code, as added by this Act, not later than March 2, 2008.

 

SECTION 5.  Effective date: September 1, 2007.