Texas House Bill HB1154

Texas 2011 - 82nd Regular

• Introduced: 2/7/11
• Refer: 3/1/11

Caption

Relating to the assessment of a civil penalty against owners and operators of coin-operated machines who commit certain gambling offenses.

Impact

If enacted, HB 1154 would amend the Occupations Code, specifically addressing penalties associated with gambling-related offenses linked to coin-operated machines. The introduction of municipal and county authority to impose their penalties could lead to a more robust enforcement mechanism at both state and local levels. With a basis for penalties to vary based on the severity of violations, historical non-compliance, and other justifying factors, the bill aims to create a clearer structure for managing compliance and accountability within the industry.

Summary

House Bill 1154 aims to enforce civil penalties on owners and operators of coin-operated machines for certain gambling offenses. The bill amends existing regulations to empower the comptroller and local municipalities to impose fines ranging from $50 to $2,000 against violators. It allows penalties to accrue daily for ongoing infractions, establishing a framework for regulatory enforcement that seeks to deter illegal gambling activities involving coin-operated machines.

Sentiment

The sentiment around HB 1154 appears to align with ongoing efforts to regulate gambling activities within Texas. Supporters argue that the bill is necessary to curtail illegal gambling by ensuring that operators face significant consequences for violations. However, there may be concerns from stakeholders regarding how these penalties will be enforced and whether they could disproportionately affect smaller operators compared to larger entities within the market.

Contention

One notable point of contention relates to the potential for local municipalities to vary penalties, which could lead to inconsistencies in enforcement across different regions of Texas. As some communities may use this bill to impose stricter penalties while others might not, there could be calls for standardization to ensure fairness and clarity in regulatory practices. Additionally, discussions around the definition of offenses and what constitutes a violation are likely to be critical focus areas in debates surrounding the bill.