81R5399 YDB-D By: Quintanilla H.B. No. 3239 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT relating to the creation of legislative committees to study proposals on the conduct of gaming in this state. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. (a) The House Gaming Legislation Review Committee and the Senate Gaming Legislation Review Committee are created to review, evaluate, and recommend legislative proposals to authorize gaming in this state in counties that by local option election approve the conduct of gaming in the county. (b) The House Gaming Legislation Review Committee is composed of 17 members of the house of representatives appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives. (c) The Senate Gaming Legislation Review Committee is composed of 17 members of the senate appointed by the lieutenant governor or 16 members of the senate appointed by the lieutenant governor and the lieutenant governor, as determined by the lieutenant governor. (d) Each committee shall select its officers and determine the rules of its proceedings as each committee considers appropriate. (e) Each committee shall conduct public hearings throughout this state and solicit testimony from interested persons concerning the legalization of gaming in this state on a local option basis. (f) Not later than January 1, 2011: (1) the House Gaming Legislation Review Committee shall prepare and deliver to the governor and both houses of the legislature a report containing the committee's findings and recommendations for legislation to authorize and regulate the conduct of gaming in this state in counties that by local option election approve the conduct of gaming in the county; and (2) the Senate Gaming Legislation Review Committee shall prepare and deliver to the governor and both houses of the legislature a report containing the committee's findings and recommendations for legislation to authorize and regulate the conduct of gaming in this state in counties that by local option election approve the conduct of gaming in the county. SECTION 2. As soon as practicable after the effective date of this Act: (1) the speaker of the house of representatives shall make the appointments to the House Gaming Legislation Review Committee; and (2) the lieutenant governor shall make the appointments to the Senate Gaming Legislation Review Committee. SECTION 3. The House Gaming Legislation Review Committee and the Senate Gaming Legislation Review Committee are abolished and this Act expires on January 2, 2011. SECTION 4. 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, 2009.