Honorable Eddie Lucio, Jr., Chair, Senate Committee on Intergovernmental Relations
FROM:
John McGeady, Assistant Director Sarah Keyton, Assistant Director Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB892 by Kuempel (Relating to county regulation of game rooms.), As Engrossed
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
The bill would amend the Local Government Code to repeal certain restrictions based on population and location which limit the number of counties in which game rooms may be operated. Under the provisions of the bill, game rooms could be operated in any county, subject to regulation by the commissioners court of the county.
Because the bill would allow, but not require, commissioners courts to authorize game rooms the scope of authorizations that would occur cannot be estimated.
A Class A misdemeanor is punishable by a fine of not more than $4,000, confinement in jail for a term not to exceed one year, or both. Lost revenue from reduced fines imposed and collected is not anticipated to have a significant fiscal impact.
Local Government Impact
A Class A misdemeanor is punishable by a fine of not more than $4,000, confinement in jail for a term not to exceed one year, or both. Costs associated with enforcement, prosecution and confinement could likely be absorbed within existing resources. Revenue gain from fines imposed and collected is not anticipated to have a significant fiscal implication.
According to the Texas Association of Counties, Denton County indicates that the bill would have no net financial impact as increased costs would be covered by increased revenues from the authorized fee collected by the county to regulate game rooms.
To the extent that other counties are similar to Denton County, no significant fiscal impact to counties is anticipated.