H.B. No. 2757

AN ACT

relating to the conduct and promotion of charitable raffles.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Section 2002.003(e), Occupations Code, is amended to read as follows:

(e) A nonprofit wildlife conservation association and its local chapters, affiliates, wildlife cooperatives, or units are qualified nonprofit organizations under this chapter if the parent association meets the eligibility criteria under this section other than the requirement prescribed by Subsection (a)(3), (b)(3), (b-1)(3), or (c)(3), as applicable. An association or a local chapter, affiliate, wildlife cooperative, or unit that is eligible under this subsection may not use any proceeds from a raffle conducted under this chapter to attempt to influence legislation or participate or intervene in a political campaign on behalf of a candidate for public office in any manner, including by publishing or distributing a statement or making a campaign contribution. [A nonprofit wildlife conservation association may conduct two raffles each year and each local chapter, affiliate, wildlife cooperative, or unit may conduct two raffles each year under this chapter.] For purposes of this section, a nonprofit wildlife conservation association includes an association that supports wildlife, fish, or fowl.

SECTION 2. Section 2002.052(b), Occupations Code, is amended to read as follows:

(b) A raffle is not authorized by this chapter if the organization [sells or offers to sell tickets for or] awards prizes in the raffle in a calendar year in which the organization has previously [sold or offered to sell tickets for or] awarded prizes in four [two or more] other raffles. For purposes of this subsection, a raffle conducted in a preceding calendar year for which a prize or prizes are awarded on a later date set in accordance with Subsection (e) that occurs in a subsequent calendar year is not included in the number of raffles for which prizes are awarded by the organization in that subsequent calendar year.

SECTION 3. Sections 2002.056(b) and (c), Occupations Code, are amended to read as follows:

(b) Except as provided by Subsections (b-1) and (c), the value of a prize offered or awarded at a raffle that is purchased by the organization or for which the organization provides any consideration may not exceed $75,000 [$50,000].

(c) A raffle prize may consist of one or more tickets in the state lottery authorized by Chapter 466, Government Code, with a face value of $75,000 [$50,000] or less, without regard to whether a prize in the lottery game to which the ticket or tickets relate exceeds $75,000 [$50,000].

SECTION 4. Section 2002.052(c), Occupations Code, is repealed.

SECTION 5. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2021.

______________________________ ______________________________

President of the Senate Speaker of the House

I certify that H.B. No. 2757 was passed by the House on April 16, 2021, by the following vote: Yeas 144, Nays 1, 2 present, not voting; and that the House concurred in Senate amendments to H.B. No. 2757 on May 28, 2021, by the following vote: Yeas 134, Nays 12, 2 present, not voting.

______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House

I certify that H.B. No. 2757 was passed by the Senate, with amendments, on May 24, 2021, by the following vote: Yeas 27, Nays 3.

______________________________ Secretary of the Senate APPROVED: __________________

Date

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Governor