Texas House Bill HB3809

Texas 2009 - 81st Regular

Caption

Relating to reports regarding charitable bingo.

Impact

With the proposed changes in HB 3809, state laws concerning the regulation of charitable bingo are set to become more rigorous. By requiring an official report delivered to key government figures—including the governor and legislative leaders—the bill emphasizes the need for accountability among organizations that conduct bingo. This enforcement could lead to improvements in oversight, potentially deterring financial mismanagement or fraudulent activities within the sector while ensuring that funds generated from bingo support charitable objectives.

Summary

House Bill 3809 aims to enhance the reporting requirements for charitable bingo operations in Texas. The bill mandates that the Texas commission must prepare and deliver a biennial report regarding the financial outcomes of licensed authorized organizations engaged in bingo operations. The report will include details on total adjusted gross receipts, net proceeds, and a comparative analysis of these figures over the previous two calendar years. This change seeks to bolster transparency around the financial operations of charitable bingo organizations.

Contention

Notable points of contention surrounding HB 3809 may arise from organizations that currently operate under less stringent reporting requirements. Some advocacy groups might express concerns regarding the administrative burden and the cost implications of complying with the new regulations. Furthermore, discussions could emerge about the extent to which these measures might affect smaller bingo operations, which may struggle to meet increased reporting demands. There may also be debates on whether the enhanced transparency serves the intended purpose of safeguarding public trust and ensuring that bingo proceeds are used for charitable activities.