AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
The Texas Constitution and current law allow qualified nonprofit organizations to conduct charitable raffles no more frequently than two times per year and under certain other conditions in order to carry out the organizations’ fundraising activities. S.J.R. 39 allows Texas voters to determine whether to modify this constitutional authorization in order to allow nonprofit organizations associated with professional sports teams in this state to conduct charitable raffles under the terms and conditions imposed by general law and to pay reasonable administrative expenses with charitable raffle proceeds.
As proposed, S.J.R. 39 proposing a constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to permit professional sports team charitable foundations to conduct charitable raffles.
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 Section 47, Article III, Texas Constitution, by amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsection (d-1), as follows:
(a) Requires the legislature to pass laws prohibiting lotteries and gift enterprises in this State other than those authorized by Subsections (b) (authorizing the conduct of bingo games by nonprofit organizations), (d) (authorizing the conduct of charitable raffles by nonprofit organizations), (d-1), and (e) (authorizing the conduct of lotteries on behalf of the State) of this section.
(d-1) Authorizes the legislature by general law to permit a professional sports team charitable foundation to conduct charitable raffles under the terms and conditions imposed by general law. Authorizes the law to authorize the charitable foundation to pay with the raffle proceeds reasonable advertising, promotional, and administrative expenses.
SECTION 2. Requires that the proposed constitutional amendment be submitted to the voters at an election to be held November 3, 2015. Sets forth the required language of the ballot.