By: Bucy (Senate Sponsor - Alvarado) H.B. No. 1759

(In the Senate - Received from the House May 1, 2023; May 1, 2023, read first time and referred to Committee on State Affairs; May 19, 2023, reported adversely, with favorable Committee Substitute by the following vote: Yeas 7, Nays 3; May 19, 2023, sent to printer.) Click here to see the committee vote

COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR H.B. No. 1759 By: Hughes

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to ticket sales for charitable raffles conducted by the charitable foundations of certain professional sports teams.

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

SECTION 1. Section 2004.004, Occupations Code, is amended by adding Subsections (a-1), (a-2), and (a-3) and amending Subsection (d) to read as follows:

(a-1) Raffle tickets for a charitable raffle conducted under Subsection (a) may be sold:

(1) at the home venue or rodeo venue of the professional sports team associated with the foundation conducting the raffle; or

(2) through digital interactive media, including an Internet website of or mobile application provided by the professional sports team associated with the foundation conducting the raffle.

(a-2) Raffle tickets for a charitable raffle conducted under Subsection (a) may be sold only during the period beginning when the venue opens to attendees of the game or rodeo venue opens to attendees of the rodeo event and ending when the draw to determine the prize winners for the raffle concludes.

(a-3) Raffle tickets sold under Subsection (a-1)(2) may only be sold to individuals who at the time of the sale are physically located:

(1) in this state; and

(2) not further than one mile from the home venue or rodeo venue of the professional sports team associated with the foundation conducting the raffle.

(d) Only persons 18 years of age or older may purchase raffle tickets in a charitable raffle conducted under this chapter. A professional sports team charitable foundation that conducts a charitable raffle under Subsection (a) shall contract with a third-party vendor to ensure only persons 18 years of age or older purchase tickets for the raffle.

SECTION 2. 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, 2023.

* * * * *