Honorable Wayne Smith, Chair, House Committee on Licensing & Administrative Procedures
FROM:
Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB1830 by Kuempel (Relating to the regulation and permitting of amusement redemption game rooms; authorizing fees; creating a civil penalty and criminal offense.), As Introduced
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
The bill would amend the Local Government Code relating to the regulation of amusement redemption game rooms by counties. The bill would authorize a county sheriff to regulate and issue permits of amusement game rooms. Under the provisions of the bill, a peace officer or a county employee would be permitted to inspect and enter a game room business if certain circumstances exist. The bill would permit a county tax-assessor to lock an amusement redemption machine if a permit was not obtained for the machine. Under the provisions of the bill, a commissioners court would appoint a hearing examiner to determine if a game room permit should be suspended or revoked. A party would be permitted to appeal the revocation or suspension of a permit through a district court. The bill establishes civil and administrative penalties for violation of the regulations.
The Office of Court Administration reported no significant fiscal impact is anticipated.
Local Government Impact
There would be personnel and administrative costs to comply with the provisions of the bill; however, the fiscal impact would vary by county depending on the resources of each department, the number of permits issued, and the size of the county. These costs could be offset by the application or permit fees and revenue from the penalties established by the bill. The revenue would vary based on the number of permits issued and the number of future violations that occur.
Harris County Sheriff's Department reported no significant fiscal impact is anticipated. Denton County Tax Assessor/Collector Office reported there would be costs associated with the bill, including additional staff, increased fuel and other costs to implement the bill.
Source Agencies:
212 Office of Court Administration, Texas Judicial Council, 304 Comptroller of Public Accounts