LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
Austin, Texas
 
FISCAL NOTE, 84TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION
 
April 20, 2015

TO:
Honorable Wayne Smith, Chair, House Committee on Licensing & Administrative Procedures
 
FROM:
Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board
 
IN RE:
HB3839 by Deshotel (Relating to the operation of casino gaming in this state by licensed persons in certain areas of this state to provide additional money for residual windstorm insurance coverage in the coastal areas; requiring occupational licenses or certifications; creating criminal offenses and providing other penalties; authorizing fees; imposing a tax.), As Introduced



Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for HB3839, As Introduced: a negative impact of ($171,049,000) through the biennium ending August 31, 2017.

However, there would be an estimated revenue gain to the new GR Account of $550,956,000 in the 2016-17 biennium and upon full implementation, a gain of $1,101,990,000 each biennium thereafter before distribution to the other funds.

The bill would make no appropriation but could provide the legal basis for an appropriation of funds to implement the provisions of the bill.



Fiscal Year Probable Net Positive/(Negative) Impact to General Revenue Related Funds
2016 ($73,307,000)
2017 ($97,742,000)
2018 ($97,742,000)
2019 ($97,742,000)
2020 ($97,742,000)




Fiscal Year Probable Savings/(Cost) from
General Revenue Fund
1
Probable Revenue Gain/(Loss) from
State Casino Gaming Account.
Change in Number of State Employees from FY 2015
2016 ($73,307,000) $183,652,000 135.0
2017 ($97,742,000) $367,304,000 135.0
2018 ($97,742,000) $550,995,000 135.0
2019 ($97,742,000) $550,995,000 135.0
2020 ($97,742,000) $550,995,000 135.0

Fiscal Analysis

The bill would amend the Occupations Code to add new Chapter 2004 regarding casino gaming.
 
The bill would authorize the Texas Lottery Commission (TLC) to have broad authority and control over casino gaming in the state.  TLC would be required to adopt rules, procedures, and fees for casino gaming and would be required to submit an annual report to the Governor, Comptroller, and Legislature regarding casino gaming revenues and expenses.
 
The bill would require that a person must hold a casino gaming operator license in order to conduct casino gaming in the state.  A maximum of nine licenses would be awarded in the state, with one license awarded each to the counties of Galveston, Jefferson, and Nueces; three licenses awarded to racetrack license holders in Bexar and Harris Counties; and one license awarded in each of three first tier or second tier coastal counties to racetrack license holders.
 
The bill would establish certifications for gaming vendors, gaming managers, and gaming employees and would allow TLC to obtain criminal history record information for certificate and license applicants.
 
The bill would establish a special account in the General Revenue Fund to deposit all revenue received by TLC from casino gaming and fees.  A casino gaming tax of 18 percent of gross gaming revenue would be created; revenue from the gaming tax would be allocated to the Catastrophe Reserve Trust Fund in an amount sufficient to ensure that the premium and other revenue of the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association together with the money deposited equals the insured losses and operating expenses of the association each fiscal year.  The remainder of tax revenues would be allocated to the General Revenue Fund.
 
The bill would establish criminal, administrative, and civil penalties for offenses related to casino gaming.    
 
The bill would make conforming changes to the Penal Code.
 
The bill would take effect on December 1, 2015 if the constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to authorize casino games is approved by voters.

Methodology

The bill requires that TLC establish license fees for casino gaming operator licenses and for certificates for gaming vendors, gaming managers, and gaming employees. The fiscal impact from fees and certificates cannot be determined.
 
This analysis assumes the state would receive $550,956,000 per fiscal year upon full implementation of the nine casinos in the third year. 

This analysis assumes TLC would require 135 additional FTEs and administrative costs of ($73,307,000) in FY 2016 and ($97,742,000) each fiscal year thereafter to regulate casino gaming.

This analysis assumes the provisions of the bill would not result in a significant impact on state correctional agencies.

Local Government Impact

The bill would create misdemeanor offenses. Costs associated with enforcement, prosecution, and confinement could likely be absorbed with existing resources. Revenue from fines imposed and collected is not anticipated to have a significant fiscal impact.


Source Agencies:
304 Comptroller of Public Accounts, 362 Texas Lottery Commission
LBB Staff:
UP, CL, SD, ESi, KVe