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House Interim Committee on Licensing and
Administrative Procedures
Charge
Determine whether current bingo practices are consistent with
the intentions of early enabling legislation and whether current
practices serve the public interest.
Recommendations
Retain the regulation of bingo
by the Texas Lottery Commission.
Amend the Bingo Enabling Act
to strengthen the role of the regulation entity.
Amend restrictions on prize
limits per game and occasion.
Eliminate the collection of
taxes on prizes of less than $250.
Amend the Bingo Enabling Act
to define "pulltab," "location," "place,"
"premise," "licensed authorized organization,"
"system service provider," "nominal value,"
and "primary business office."
Add "licensed system
service provider" to entities eligible to purchase or lease
from bingo manufacturers.
Reduce and/or adjust maximum
rental rates charged.
Amend language related to
the charitable distribution requirement to provide for statutorily
required gross receipt minimums.
Allow charitable organizations
to advertise and promote charitable bingo, including prize amounts
offered. Permit lessors, upon approval from the Texas Lottery
Commission, and in conjunction with its charitable organizations,
to advertise and promote charitable bingo.
Dedicate a small portion of
bingo fees and taxes collected to the creation and development
of Public Service Announcements to promote the charitable nature
of bingo.
Permit the use of door prizes
and raffles in conjunction with charitable bingo.
Prohibit ownership or control
of any bingo licences by a publicly-held company or a foreign
corporation.
Amend the Bingo Enabling Act
to redefine "bingo," "VFD," "bingo occasion,"
"intermission," and "pulltab dispenser."
Reinstate "charitable
intent," language that was earlier deleted.
Grant summary suspension authority
and subpoena power to the Texas Lottery Commission.
Address the issue of the use
of "third party lessors," and add restrictions.
Amend temporary authorization
provision.
Allow the Commission to discontinue
and return an incomplete applicantion.
Authorize electronic filing
of applications and amendments.
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