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A JOINT RESOLUTION
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proposing a constitutional amendment providing immediate |
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additional revenue for the state budget by creating the Texas |
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Gaming Commission, and authorizing and regulating the operation of |
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casino games and slot machines by a limited number of licensed |
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operators and certain Indian tribes. |
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BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 47(a), Article III, Texas Constitution, |
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is amended to read as follows: |
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(a) The Legislature shall pass laws prohibiting lotteries |
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and gift enterprises in this State other than those authorized by |
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Subsections (b), (d), and (e) of this section and Sections 47a and |
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47b of this article. |
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SECTION 2. Article III, Texas Constitution, is amended by |
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adding Section 47a to read as follows: |
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Sec. 47a. (a) Casino gaming and slot gaming are authorized |
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in this state in accordance with this section to provide additional |
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money for the foundation school fund and additional financial aid |
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for higher education students. |
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(b) The Texas Gaming Commission is established. The |
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commission is composed of five members appointed by the governor |
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with the advice and consent of the senate. Commission members serve |
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staggered six-year terms, with one or two members' terms, as |
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applicable, expiring February 1 of each odd-numbered year. The |
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governor shall fill a vacancy in a position on the commission for |
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the remainder of the unexpired term. The governor shall designate a |
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commission member as presiding officer of the commission to serve |
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in that capacity at the pleasure of the governor. |
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(c) To be eligible for appointment to the commission, a |
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person: |
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(1) must be a citizen of the United States; |
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(2) must have resided in this state for the two years |
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preceding the date of the person's appointment; |
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(3) may not own a financial or other interest in an |
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entity engaged in the conduct of casino or slot gaming or the |
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provision of casino or slot services, or in a security issued by |
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such an entity, or be related within the second degree by affinity |
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or the third degree by consanguinity as determined by general law to |
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an individual who owns such a financial or other interest or |
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security; |
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(4) may not be an applicant for or holder of a license |
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or other affirmative regulatory approval under a law administered |
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by the commission; and |
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(5) may not be a member of the governing body of a |
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political subdivision of this state. |
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(d) The Texas Gaming Commission has broad authority and |
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shall exercise strict control and close supervision over all |
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activities related to casino and slot gaming authorized and |
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conducted in this state under this section or another law |
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administered by the commission. |
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(e) The Texas Gaming Commission shall appoint an executive |
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director and other necessary personnel and adopt rules the |
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commission considers necessary or desirable for the public interest |
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in carrying out the policy and provisions of this section and the |
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other laws administered by the commission, including rules on: |
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(1) licensing and regulating casino owners, slot |
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establishment owners, gaming managers, gaming employees, and |
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manufacturers and distributors of gaming equipment, including the |
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qualifications, definitions, terms, and fees for licenses; |
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(2) criteria for awarding, denying, revoking, and |
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suspending licenses; |
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(3) exclusion of persons and age requirements; |
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(4) procedures for conducting investigations, |
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inspections, criminal background investigations, audits, complaint |
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investigations, and disciplinary hearings; |
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(5) reporting and internal control requirements for |
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license holders; |
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(6) consequences of criminal convictions of license |
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holders or applicants; |
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(7) enforcement provisions, including disciplinary |
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actions and penalties, and security requirements; |
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(8) prize payment and redemption; |
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(9) regulating the operations of casinos and slot |
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establishments; and |
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(10) standards for gaming equipment. |
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(f) The Texas Gaming Commission shall: |
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(1) issue four licenses to conduct casino gaming or |
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slot gaming to persons who are licensed to conduct pari-mutuel |
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wagering on horse or greyhound races at the location for which the |
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applicants were licensed to conduct pari-mutuel wagering on horse |
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or greyhound races as of January 1, 2013 and who comply with |
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requirements of this section and commission rule; |
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(2) issue three licenses to conduct casino gaming in |
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this state to persons who are licensed to conduct pari-mutuel |
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wagering at a class 1 racetrack as defined by Article 179e, Vernon's |
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Texas Civil Statutes, at the location licensed for conducting |
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pari-mutuel wagering on horse races and who comply with |
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requirements of this section and commission rule; |
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(3) issue four licenses to conduct casino gaming to |
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casino-anchored destination attraction development projects in |
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counties with a population greater than 1.5 million that comply |
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with requirements of this section and commission rule; |
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(4) issue three licenses to conduct casino gaming to |
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casino-anchored destination attraction development projects |
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located on islands in the Gulf of Mexico that comply with |
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requirements of this section and commission rule; and |
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(5) allow an Indian tribe that is recognized by the |
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United States government under federal law to operate slot machines |
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or casino gaming on its Indian land held in trust by the United |
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States on January 1, 1998, in accordance with federal law and: |
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(A) an effective gaming agreement that includes a |
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provision requiring the Indian tribe to remit to this state a |
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portion of its casino gaming or slot gaming revenue in an amount |
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equal to the rate provided in the agreement; or |
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(B) general state law that includes a provision |
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requiring the Indian tribe to remit to this state a portion of its |
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casino gaming or slot gaming revenue in an amount equal to the rate |
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provided by the general law. |
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(g) In determining whether or, in the case of multiple |
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applicants competing for a limited number of casino owner's |
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licenses or slot establishment owner's licenses within a geographic |
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area, to whom to grant a license, the Texas Gaming Commission shall |
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consider the following factors: |
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(1) the relative prospective revenue to be collected |
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by this state from the conduct of casino gaming at the casino or of |
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slot gaming at the slot establishment and the overall economic |
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impact of each competing applicant's proposed gaming and associated |
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facilities; |
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(2) the relative number of residents of this state who |
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would be employed in an applicant's proposed casino or slot |
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establishment and any proposed associated hotel and nongaming |
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businesses and the relative extent of the applicant's good faith |
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plan to recruit, train, and promote a workforce that reflects the |
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diverse populations of this state in all employment |
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classifications; |
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(3) the relative extent to which an applicant's |
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proposed casino or slot establishment and any proposed associated |
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hotel and nongaming businesses could be reasonably expected to |
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encourage interstate tourism to this state; |
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(4) the relative extent to which the scope, design, |
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location, and construction of the applicant's casino or slot |
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establishment and any associated hotel and nongaming businesses |
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could be reasonably expected to contribute to developing a |
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first-class gaming industry in this state; |
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(5) the applicant's experience in conducting licensed |
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gaming operations and the applicant's financial ability to promptly |
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construct and adequately maintain the casino or slot establishment |
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sought to be licensed, including the experience of partners of the |
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applicant, of affiliated companies of the applicant or its |
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partners, of key personnel of the applicant or its partners, and of |
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operating companies under contract with the applicant; and |
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(6) the percentage of equity interest in the applicant |
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owned or to be owned by residents of this state. |
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(h) To ensure that a requisite level of economic development |
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benefiting the people of this state accompanies each casino for |
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which an owner's license is granted, the Texas Gaming Commission |
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shall require an applicant, as a condition to receiving and holding |
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an owner's license, to commit to building a casino-anchored |
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destination attraction development project that includes total |
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land and development costs of at least: |
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(1) $1 billion for a project described in Subsection |
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(f)(3) of this section; or |
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(2) $250 million for a casino project described in |
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Subsection (f)(1), (2) and (4) of this section. |
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(i) Notwithstanding Subsection (f) of this section: |
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(1) a license for a project described in Subsection |
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(f)(1), (2), (3) or (4) may not be issued in a county unless: |
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(A) a majority of the voters of the county voted |
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for the proposition that added this section to this constitution; |
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or |
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(B) the voters of the county have approved a |
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proposition legalizing casino gaming at a local option election |
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held under this section; |
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(2) not more than two casino or slot establishment |
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licenses may be issued for projects to be located in the same |
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county; |
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(3) the commission may not issue a license under |
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Subsection (f)(1) to an applicant that has not conducted |
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pari-mutuel racing at the location prior to January 1, 2013; |
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(4) a casino owner's license may not be issued for a |
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location in an area in which casino gaming or slot gaming is |
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prohibited under a gaming agreement between an Indian tribe and |
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this state; |
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(5) a casino owner's license may not be issued for a |
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location within five miles of property which the General Land |
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Office is required to preserve and protect pursuant to Section |
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31.0515, Natural Resources Code. |
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(j) The Texas casino and slot gaming fund is a special fund |
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in the state treasury. All application fees, investigation fees, |
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and license fees collected by the Texas Gaming Commission or on the |
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commission's behalf related to casino and slot gaming shall be |
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deposited to the credit of the Texas casino and slot gaming fund. |
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Except as provided by this section, the Texas casino and slot gaming |
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fund may only be used for the operation of the commission and the |
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administration of this section. If the money in the fund exceeds |
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the amount necessary for the operation of the commission and the |
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administration of this section, the legislature shall transfer any |
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excess amount to the foundation school fund. |
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(k) An applicant applying for an owner's license for a slot |
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establishment as set forth in Subsection (f)(1) must submit to the |
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Texas Gaming Commission a $15 million application fee. An |
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applicant applying for an owner's license for a casino as set forth |
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in Subsection (f)(1) must submit to the Texas Gaming Commission a |
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$25 million application fee. An applicant applying for an owner's |
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license as set forth in Subsection (f)(2) must submit to the Texas |
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Gaming Commission a $50 million application fee. An applicant |
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applying for an owner's license as set forth in Subsection (f)(3) |
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must submit to the Texas Gaming Commission a $50 million |
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application fee. An applicant applying for an owner's license as |
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set forth in Subsection (f)(4) must submit to the Texas Gaming |
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Commission a $25 million application fee. If an applicant is not |
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awarded an owner's license, the commission shall refund the |
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application fee less the costs incurred by the commission in |
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reviewing the application and conducting a criminal background |
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investigation on the applicant. |
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(l) A casino gaming tax in an amount equal to 20 percent of |
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the gross gaming revenue is imposed on each holder of a casino |
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owner's license for facilities determined by the commission to have |
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invested less than $1 billion in the casino facility. A casino |
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gaming tax in an amount equal to 15 percent of the gross gaming |
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revenue is imposed on each holder of a casino owner's license for |
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facilities determined by the commission to have invested $1 billion |
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or more in the casino facility. The tax shall be computed and paid |
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on a monthly basis in accordance with the procedures established by |
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rule of the Texas Gaming Commission. |
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(m) A slot gaming tax in an amount equal to 35 percent of the |
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gross slot income of the slot establishment operated under the |
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license is imposed on each holder of a slot establishment owner's |
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license. The tax shall be computed and paid on a monthly basis in |
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accordance with the procedures established by rule of the Texas |
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Gaming Commission. |
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(n) Of the revenue from the taxes imposed by Subsections (l) |
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and (m) of this section: |
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(1) one-twentieth of the revenue is allocated to the |
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municipality in which the casino to which the license relates is |
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located and one-twentieth of the revenue is allocated to the county |
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in which the casino to which the license relates is located; or |
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(2) if the casino is located in an unincorporated |
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area, one-tenth of the revenue is allocated to the county in which |
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the casino to which the license relates is located. |
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(o) The comptroller of public accounts shall transfer the |
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appropriate amount allocated under Subsection (n) of this section |
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to the appropriate municipalities and counties not less than |
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monthly in the manner the comptroller considers appropriate. |
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(p) Except as otherwise provided by this section, the |
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revenue from the taxes imposed by Subsections (l) and (m) of this |
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section is allocated as follows: |
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(1) one-fortieth to the general revenue fund for |
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appropriation only to fund a compulsive gambling program |
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established by the Texas Gaming Commission; |
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(2) one-fortieth to the general revenue fund for |
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appropriation only to the Texas Gaming Commission to provide grants |
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to prosecuting attorneys in this state for the investigation and |
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prosecution of offenses related to the possession of gambling |
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devices and illegal gambling operations; and |
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(3) the remainder to the foundation school fund. |
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(q) The comptroller of public accounts quarterly shall |
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determine the net amount of receipts collected from a casino or slot |
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establishment from the sales and use taxes, hotel occupancy taxes, |
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alcoholic beverage taxes, and franchise taxes imposed under general |
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law, or from other taxes imposed under general law as provided by |
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the legislature in general law, and shall deposit that amount in the |
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general revenue fund. The net amount deposited may only be |
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appropriated to fund the TEXAS grant program established under |
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Subchapter M, Chapter 56, Education Code, or a similar program |
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established by the legislature to provide grants to higher |
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education students in this state. |
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(r) A casino or slot establishment located at a greyhound |
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racetrack shall transfer 12 percent of the gross gaming revenue to a |
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Texas canine development fund to be established at that racetrack. |
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(s) A casino or slot establishment located at a horse |
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racetrack shall provide at least $1 million, or the minimum |
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coverage amount required by the Texas Racing Commission, in |
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accident insurance coverage for jockeys participating in a race |
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meeting at its racetrack. The Texas Racing Commission: |
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(1) may review and approve the adequacy of the |
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coverage; |
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(2) shall annually adjust for inflation the minimum |
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coverage amount; and |
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(3) shall annually publish in the Texas Register the |
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revised minimum coverage amount. |
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(t) A casino gaming establishment located at a racetrack |
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shall make at least weekly payments to the racing facilities |
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capital improvement account in an amount equal to 0.5 percent of the |
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gross gaming revenue unless a racing facilities agreement providing |
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for a different amount is filed with the Texas Racing Commission. |
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(u) The racing facilities capital improvement account is a |
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special escrow account held outside the state treasury and |
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administered by the Texas Racing Commission without further |
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appropriation. A transfer of money from the account requires: |
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(1) for a horse racetrack, the signatures of: |
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(A) a designated official of the horse racetrack; |
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and |
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(B) a designated representative appointed by a |
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majority of the quarter horse state breed registry, the |
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Thoroughbred state horse breed registry, and the horsemen's |
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organization; or |
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(2) for a greyhound racetrack, the signatures of: |
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(A) a designated official of the greyhound |
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racetrack; and |
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(B) a designated representative of the Texas |
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Greyhound Association. |
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(v) The Texas Racing Commission shall adopt rules to |
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administer purse contributions. The rules must require the |
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electronic transfer of funds to the accounts described in this |
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section. |
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(w) A casino or slot establishment located at a racetrack |
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shall promptly and fully make each payment or transfer from the net |
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gaming income required under this section on behalf of the casino |
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gaming establishment at the racetrack even if live racing at that |
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racetrack is shortened, canceled, or delayed for any reason. |
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(x) If a horse racetrack fails to request the minimum number |
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of required live race dates or fails to offer the minimum number of |
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required live races despite issuance of live race dates, does not |
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receive a waiver of that violation from the Texas Racing Commission |
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as provided under the Texas Racing Act, and does not have an |
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agreement with the affected state horse breed registries and |
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horsemen's organization, the applicable state horse breed |
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registries and the horsemen's organization may, in their sole |
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discretion, transfer all money to which they are entitled under |
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this section from that racetrack to the respective accounts under |
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their control at another racetrack or racetracks. |
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(y) If a greyhound racetrack fails to request the minimum |
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number of required live race dates or fails to offer the minimum |
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number of required live races despite issuance of live race dates, |
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does not receive a waiver of that violation from the Texas Racing |
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Commission as provided under this subchapter, and does not have an |
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agreement with the affected officially recognized greyhound breed |
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registry, the Texas Greyhound Association may, in its sole |
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discretion, transfer all money to which the association is entitled |
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under this subchapter from that racetrack to the account under its |
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control at another racetrack or racetracks. |
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(z) An amount equal to 0.025 percent of the gross gaming |
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revenue generated at a casino or slot establishment at a racetrack |
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shall be transferred from the Texas equine development fund for |
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that racetrack to the equine research account of the Texas |
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Agricultural Experiment Station for use in equine research, |
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including facilities development under Subchapter F, Chapter 88, |
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Education Code. The money transferred under this subsection shall |
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supplement, and may not replace, funding provided under the Texas |
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Racing Act (Article 179e, Vernon ' s Texas Civil Statutes). |
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(aa) Each casino or slot establishment located at a |
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racetrack shall, at least weekly, transfer to the racing facilities |
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capital improvement account from the racetrack's Texas equine |
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development fund or Texas canine development fund, as applicable, |
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an amount equal to 0.5 percent of the net gaming income unless a |
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racing facilities agreement providing for a different amount is |
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filed with the Texas Racing Commission. |
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(bb) Unless an agreement between the state horse breed |
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registries and the horsemen ' s organization provides otherwise, |
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and after any other allocations required by this subchapter, the |
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remainder of the money deposited in the Texas equine development |
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fund at a casino gaming establishment must: |
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(1) be used for purses and the Texas-bred incentive |
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programs and may be used for other programs considered beneficial |
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to the equine industry, including: |
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(A) equine retirement, adoption, and retraining |
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programs; |
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(B) programs to test for banned |
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performance-enhancing equine drugs, performance-enhancing drug |
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testing research, and equipment and facilities of laboratories |
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providing those services in this state; and |
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(C) other programs to improve the working |
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environment in stable areas of racetracks; and |
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(2) be allocated as follows: |
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(A) an amount equal to 4.43 percent of the gross |
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gaming revenue to the horsemen's organization to supplement |
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Thoroughbred racing purses; |
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(B) an amount equal to 2.385 percent of the gross |
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gaming revenue to the horsemen's organization to supplement quarter |
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horse racing purses; |
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(C) an amount equal to 2.38 percent of the gross |
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gaming revenue to the Thoroughbred state horse breed registry; and |
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(D) an amount equal to 1.28 percent of the gross |
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gaming revenue to the quarter horse state horse breed registry. |
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(cc) From the money allocated under Subsection (bb)(2)(A), |
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under an agreement between the Texas Arabian Breeders Association |
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and the horsemen's organization, the horsemen's organization shall |
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allocate a portion of the money for purses for the Arabian horse |
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racing industry. The agreement must provide that not less than an |
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amount equal to 0.199 percent of the gross gaming revenue be |
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allocated for Arabian horse racing purses. If an agreement is not |
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made, the horsemen's organization shall transfer to the Texas |
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Arabian horse racing industry an amount equal to 0.199 percent of |
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the gross gaming revenue for Arabian horse racing purses. |
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(dd) From the money allocated under Subsection (bb)(2)(B), |
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under an agreement between the Texas Paint Horse Breeders' |
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Association and the horsemen's organization, the horsemen's |
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organization shall allocate a portion of the money for purses for |
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the paint horse racing industry. If an agreement is not made, the |
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horsemen's organization shall transfer to the paint horse racing |
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industry an amount equal to 0.072 percent of the gross gaming |
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revenue for paint horse racing purses. |
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(ee) From the money allocated under Subsection (bb)(2)(C), |
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under an agreement between the Texas Arabian Breeders Association |
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and the Thoroughbred state horse breed registry, the registry shall |
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allocate a portion of the money for the Arabian horse racing |
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industry state-breed programs. The agreement must provide that not |
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less than an amount equal to 0.107 percent of the gross gaming |
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revenue be allocated for Arabian state-breed programs. If an |
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agreement is not made, the Thoroughbred state horse breed registry |
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shall transfer to the Texas Arabian horse racing industry for |
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state-breed programs an amount equal to 0.107 percent of the gross |
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gaming revenue. |
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(ff) From the money allocated under Subsection (bb)(2)(D), |
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under an agreement between the Texas Paint Horse Breeders' |
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Association and the quarter horse state horse breed registry, the |
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registry shall allocate a portion of the money for state-breed |
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programs for the paint horse racing industry. If an agreement is |
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not made, the registry shall transfer to the paint horse racing |
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industry an amount equal to 0.038 percent of the gross gaming |
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revenue for paint horse state-breed programs. |
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(gg) Following the other transfers and allocations required |
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by this subchapter, the remainder of the money deposited in the |
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Texas canine development fund at a greyhound racetrack is allocated |
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as follows: |
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(1) an amount equal to 4.75 percent of the gross gaming |
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revenue to supplement greyhound racing purses; |
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(2) an amount equal to 4.75 percent of the gross gaming |
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revenue to supplement accredited Texas-bred greyhound purses; and |
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(3) an amount equal to two percent of the gross gaming |
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revenue to the Texas Greyhound Association as the state greyhound |
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breed registry. |
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(hh) The Texas Racing Commission may adopt rules to |
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administer this section and shall require the electronic transfer |
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of funds to the accounts described in this section. |
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(ii) For purposes of subsections (r) and (z), a racing |
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facilities agreement for a horse racetrack is valid only on |
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approval of the applicable racetrack and a majority of the quarter |
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horse state horse breed registry, the Thoroughbred state horse |
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breed registry, and the horsemen's organization. |
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(jj) For purposes of subsections (r) and (z), a racing |
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facilities agreement for a greyhound racetrack is valid only on |
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approval of the racetrack and the Texas Greyhound Association. |
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(kk) A racing facilities agreement filed under subsection (r) |
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or (z) remains in effect until it expires on its own terms or until |
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it is superseded by a subsequent racing facilities agreement for |
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the same racetrack. |
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(ll) Unless a racing facilities agreement provides |
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otherwise, the money in the racing facilities capital improvement |
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account may be spent only for the maintenance and improvement of |
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pari-mutuel racing facilities. |
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(mm) Money in the performance horse development fund may be |
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used only for: |
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(1) the development of the horse agricultural industry |
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in this state through efforts intended to attract, retain, promote, |
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and encourage the breeding, raising, training, and exhibition of |
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performance and recreational horses in this state; and |
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(2) events and programs conducted in this state. |
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(nn) Money from the performance horse development fund is |
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allocated as follows: |
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(1) 40 percent to the American Quarter Horse |
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Association for its sanctioned events and programs; |
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(2) 20 percent to the National Cutting Horse |
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Association for its sanctioned events and programs; |
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(3) 20 percent to the American Paint Horse Association |
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for its sanctioned events and programs; and |
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(4) 20 percent to the Department of Agriculture to |
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promote the equine agricultural industry in this state. |
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(oo) Subject to Subsection (pp), money transferred to an |
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association or agency from the performance horse development fund |
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may be used for: |
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(1) purse supplements or additional money for |
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performance and recreational horses events conducted in this state; |
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(2) the establishment of an accredited Texas Bred |
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Program for breeding of performance and recreational horses; |
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(3) the marketing and promotion of performance and |
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recreational horses activities and events in this state; and |
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(4) scholarship programs. |
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(pp) Money may be transferred under Subsection (nn)(4) only |
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to organizations of the equine industry in this state that are not |
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receiving money for events and programs under Subsection (nn)(1), |
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(2), or (3). |
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(ss) Except as otherwise provided by law, all money paid to |
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the Department of Agriculture is subject to Subchapter F, Chapter |
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404. |
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(tt) Casinos and slot establishments are subject to all |
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applicable state laws and local ordinances related to health and |
|
building codes, including rules adopted by the Texas Gaming |
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Commission. A local ordinance or zoning law may not prohibit the |
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development of a casino or slot establishment authorized by this |
|
section, except that a casino or slot establishment may not be |
|
located in an area that is zoned exclusively residential, unless |
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otherwise provided by commission rule. |
|
(uu) The commissioners court of a county may at any time |
|
order an election to legalize casino gaming under this section in |
|
that county. The commissioners court shall order and hold an |
|
election to legalize casino gaming under this section in the county |
|
if the commissioners court is presented with a petition that meets |
|
the requirements of this section and is certified as valid under |
|
this section. |
|
(vv) A petition for a legalization election must include a |
|
statement substantially as follows before the space reserved for |
|
signatures on each page: "This petition is to require that an |
|
election be held in (name of county) to legalize casino gaming in |
|
(name of county)." A petition is valid only if it is signed by |
|
registered voters of the county in a number that is not less than |
|
three percent of the total number of votes cast for governor by |
|
qualified voters of the county in the most recent gubernatorial |
|
general election. Each voter must enter beside the voter's |
|
signature the date the voter signs the petition. A signature may |
|
not be counted as valid if the date of signing is earlier than the |
|
90th day before the date the petition is submitted to the |
|
commissioners court. Each voter must provide on the petition the |
|
voter's current voter registration number, printed name, and |
|
residence address, including zip code. |
|
(ww) Not later than the fifth day after the date a petition |
|
for an election under this section is received in the office of the |
|
commissioners court, the commissioners court shall submit the |
|
petition for verification to the county clerk. The county clerk |
|
shall determine whether the petition is signed by the number of |
|
registered voters of the county required under Subsection (vv) of |
|
this section. Not later than the 30th day after the date the |
|
petition is submitted to the county clerk for verification, the |
|
clerk shall certify in writing to the commissioners court whether |
|
the petition is valid or invalid. If the county clerk determines |
|
that the petition is invalid, the clerk shall state the reasons for |
|
that determination. |
|
(xx) If the county clerk certifies that a petition for an |
|
election under this section is valid, not later than the 30th day |
|
after the date of certification, the commissioners court shall |
|
order that an election be held in the county on the next uniform |
|
election date provided under general law that allows sufficient |
|
time to comply with applicable provisions of general law. The |
|
commissioners court shall state in the order the issue to be voted |
|
on. The county clerk shall notify the Texas Gaming Commission by |
|
certified mail, return receipt requested, that an election has been |
|
ordered. The ballot in a legalization election shall be printed to |
|
provide for voting for or against the proposition: "Legalizing |
|
casino gaming within (name of county)." |
|
(yy) The commissioners court shall give written notice of |
|
the results of the election to the Texas Gaming Commission not later |
|
than the third day after the date the election is canvassed. If the |
|
majority of votes cast in a legalization election under this |
|
section favor the legalization of casino gaming, casino gaming |
|
authorized under this section is permitted within the county |
|
holding the election effective on the 10th day after the date the |
|
election is canvassed. If less than a majority of the votes cast in |
|
the election favor the legalization of casino gaming, casino gaming |
|
is not permitted in the county, and a subsequent election on the |
|
issue may not be held in the county before the corresponding uniform |
|
election date one year after the date of the election. If in each of |
|
two consecutive elections within any county less than a majority of |
|
the votes cast favor the legalization of casino gaming, casino |
|
gaming is not permitted in the county, and a subsequent election on |
|
the issue may not be held in the county before the corresponding |
|
uniform election date five years after the date of the second |
|
election. |
|
(zz) It is a defense to prosecution for a gambling offense |
|
under general law that the action was authorized under this section |
|
or Texas Gaming Commission rule. |
|
(aaa) All shipments of slot machines or gaming devices into, |
|
out of, or within this state authorized under this section or a rule |
|
adopted by the Texas Gaming Commission are legal shipments of the |
|
devices and are exempt from the provisions of 15 U.S.C. Sections |
|
1171-1178, prohibiting the transportation of gambling devices. |
|
(bbb) Each state agency, including the attorney general and |
|
the comptroller of public accounts, and each state or local law |
|
enforcement agency shall cooperate with the Texas Gaming Commission |
|
as necessary to implement this section. |
|
(ccc) The legislature by general law may impose additional |
|
restrictions or requirements for the conduct of casino and slot |
|
gaming. |
|
(ddd) Unless specifically authorized by general law, a |
|
political subdivision of this state may not impose: |
|
(1) a tax on the payment of a casino or slot prize; |
|
(2) a tax, fee, or other assessment on consideration |
|
paid to play a casino or slot game authorized by this section; or |
|
(3) a tax or fee on attendance at or admission to a |
|
casino or slot establishment authorized by this section. |
|
(eee) In this section, unless modified by general law: |
|
(1) "Casino" means a facility at which casino gaming |
|
is conducted by a licensed casino owner as authorized by this |
|
section. |
|
(2) "Casino gaming" means any game of chance or |
|
similar activity that involves the making of a bet for |
|
consideration. The term includes any type of slot machine or table |
|
game wagering using money, casino credit, or any representation of |
|
value. The term does not include bingo, charitable raffles, or the |
|
state lottery authorized under Section 47 of this article. |
|
(3) "Casino owner" means a person, trust, corporation, |
|
partnership, limited partnership, association, limited liability |
|
company, or other business enterprise that directly holds an |
|
ownership or leasehold interest in a casino licensed as provided by |
|
this section. |
|
(4) "Gross gaming revenue" means the total amount of |
|
consideration paid to engage in casino gaming less winnings paid to |
|
players of the casino games. |
|
(5) "Gross slot income" means the total amount of |
|
consideration paid to play slot machines less winnings paid to |
|
players of the slot machines. |
|
(6) "Performance and recreational horses" means |
|
horses bred or trained for public competition and exhibition or |
|
recreational use in all legally permitted equine activities other |
|
than horse racing at racetracks. |
|
(7) "Slot establishment" means a facility at which |
|
slot gaming is conducted by a licensed slot establishment owner as |
|
authorized by this section. |
|
(8) "Slot establishment owner" means a person, trust, |
|
corporation, partnership, limited partnership, association, |
|
limited liability company, or other business enterprise that |
|
directly holds an ownership or leasehold interest in a slot |
|
establishment. |
|
(9) "Slot gaming" means any game of chance that for |
|
consideration is played on a slot machine. The term does not |
|
include bingo, charitable raffles, or the state lottery authorized |
|
under Section 47 of this article. |
|
(10) "Slot machine" means a mechanical, electrical, or |
|
other device or machine that, on insertion of a coin, token, or |
|
similar object or on payment of consideration, is available to play |
|
or operate a game, the play or operation of which, wholly or partly |
|
by the element of chance, may deliver or entitle the person playing |
|
or operating the device or machine to receive cash, premiums, |
|
merchandise, tokens, or any other thing of value, whether the |
|
payoff is made automatically from the device or machine or is made |
|
in another manner. |
|
SECTION 3. Article III, Texas Constitution, is amended by |
|
adding Section 47b to read as follows: |
|
Sec. 47b. (a) Any tribe of Indians that is federally |
|
recognized and has a reservation in Texas on or before January 1, |
|
1998 may, without application of state time, place and manner |
|
restrictions, conduct on its reservation class II gaming regulated |
|
by the National Indian Gaming Commission consistent with NIGC's |
|
regulation of gaming conducted by Indian tribes in other states and |
|
any other gaming activity that may be conducted by any other |
|
individual, organization, group or entity with the state. |
|
(b) Class II gaming shall have the same meaning as in 25 |
|
U.S.C. Section 2703 of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act. |
|
SECTION 4. The following temporary provision is added to |
|
the Texas Constitution: |
|
TEMPORARY PROVISION. (a) This temporary provision applies to |
|
the constitutional amendment proposed by the 83rd Legislature, |
|
Regular Session, 2013, creating the Texas Gaming Commission and |
|
authorizing and regulating the operation of casino games and slot |
|
machines by licensed operators and certain Indian tribes to provide |
|
money for the foundation school fund and additional financial aid |
|
for higher education students. |
|
(b) Not later than January 1, 2014, the governor shall |
|
appoint the initial members of the Texas Gaming Commission in |
|
accordance with Section 47a, Article III, of this constitution. In |
|
making the initial appointments, the governor shall designate one |
|
member to a term expiring February 1, 2015, two members to terms |
|
expiring February 1, 2017, and two members to terms expiring |
|
February 1, 2019. |
|
(c) Not later than March 1, 2014, the Texas Gaming |
|
Commission shall adopt the rules, including any emergency rules, |
|
necessary to implement Section 47a, Article III, of this |
|
constitution. |
|
(d) This temporary provision expires January 1, 2015. |
|
SECTION 5. (a) The constitutional amendment proposed by |
|
Sections 1, 2, 3 and 4 of this resolution shall be submitted to the |
|
voters at an election to be held November 5, 2013. The ballot shall |
|
be printed to permit voting for or against the proposition: "The |
|
constitutional amendment creating the Texas Gaming Commission and |
|
authorizing and regulating the operation of casino games and slot |
|
machines by a limited number of licensed operators and certain |
|
Indian tribes to provide money for the foundation school fund and |
|
additional financial aid for higher education students." |