BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 892

By: Kuempel

Licensing & Administrative Procedures

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

It has been noted that previous legislation granted regulatory authority to certain counties, such as Harris County, in an effort to combat illegal gambling occurring in game rooms, a problem that reports indicate has since spread to other counties across Texas. H.B. 892 seeks to address this issue by helping counties prevent illegal gambling activity by broadening the applicability of certain provisions governing county regulation of game rooms.

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

H.B. 892 repeals Section 234.132, Local Government Code, which limits the applicability of statutory provisions governing county regulation of game rooms to certain counties.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2019.