BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	C.S.S.B. 859
85R20570 GCB-F	By: Hughes
	State Affairs
	4/10/2017
	Committee Report (Substituted)

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

When the Texas Racing Commission (TRC) was founded, the activities over which TRC had oversight were projected to generate significant revenue for the state. Accordingly, the Texas comptroller of public accounts (comptroller) was placed on TRC to effectively monitor the accounts and associated revenue streams. The revenue associated with racing activities has not proven as significant as projected. The comptroller has requested that TRC be adjusted to allow other officials to contribute to TRC in place of the comptroller.

Section 2.02(a), Texas Racing Act (Article 179e, Vernon's Texas Civil Statutes), dictates that TRC consists of seven members appointed by the governor, the chairman of the Public Safety Commission or the chairman's designee, and the comptroller or the comptroller's designee. S.B. 859 removes the comptroller designee and gives the appointment to the governor. (Original Author's / Sponsor's Statement of Intent)

C.S.S.B. 859 amends current law relating to the membership of the Texas Racing Commission.

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 2.02(a), Texas Racing Act (Article 179e, Vernon's Texas Civil Statutes), to include the commissioner of agriculture (commissioner) or the commissioner's designee, rather than the Texas comptroller of public accounts or the comptroller's designee, among the ex officio members of the Texas Racing Commission.

SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2017.