BILL ANALYSIS

S.B. 397

By: Rodríguez

Licensing & Administrative Procedures

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Noting that the instant-ticket lottery game operated to benefit the fund for veterans' assistance is the primary source of revenue for the fund, interested parties contend that more marketing and advertising are needed for the lottery game in order to continue a broad range of assistance to Texas veterans and their families. S.B. 397 seeks to address this issue relating to the marketing and advertising of the veterans' assistance lottery game.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

S.B. 397 amends the Government Code to require the Texas Lottery Commission to produce and place printed point-of-sale advertising materials promoting the instant-ticket lottery game operated to benefit the fund for veterans' assistance at each licensed location that provides appropriate, lottery-dedicated space to display the materials. The bill requires the lottery commission to include on its website a dedicated page that features the game, provides information on the benefits provided to veterans through funding from the game, and is accessible by a prominent link on the main page of the lottery commission's website.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2015.