BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	H.B. 1830
84R14623 GCB-F	By: Kuempel et al. (Eltife)
	Business & Commerce
	5/15/2015
	Engrossed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

Interested parties note that as a response to the increase in the number of game rooms in Harris County, the associated rise in criminal activity, and law enforcement's difficulties in closing down game rooms in violation of Texas law, the legislature recently provided Harris County with certain regulatory authority to combat illegal gambling occurring at these game rooms. The parties further assert that law enforcement and counties across the state voice frustration in their efforts to effectively enforce gambling statutes with regard to game rooms.   H.B. 1830 seeks to provide all counties with the same tools to bring game rooms into compliance with state law.

H.B. 1830 amends current law relating to the regulation of amusement redemption machine game rooms.

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.  Repealer: Subchapter E (Game Rooms), Chapter 234 (County Regulation of Businesses and Occupations), Local Government Code, as added by Chapter 1284 (H.B. 2123), Acts of the 83rd Legislature, Regular Session, 2013,

SECTION 2.  Repealer: Section 234.132 (Applicability), Local Government Code, as added by Chapter 1377 (H.B. 1127), Acts of the 83rd Legislature, Regular Session, 2013.

SECTION 3.  Effective date: September 1, 2015.