88R3158 ADM-F
By: Collier H.B. No. 668
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the regulation of coin-operated machines.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 2153.051, Occupations Code, is amended
by adding Subsections (c), (d), and (e) to read as follows:
(c) Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter,
the comptroller shall disclose confidential information, including
information contained in a license or registration certificate
application, to a law enforcement agency that submits to the
comptroller a written request for the information in connection
with an investigation the agency is conducting. A peace officer is
an appropriate official for purposes of the disclosure of
information under Subsection (b)(5).
(d) Information disclosed to a law enforcement agency in
accordance with Subsection (c) remains confidential information
under Section 2153.102, and the agency may use the information only
for purposes of the investigation, and any related prosecution, for
which the agency submitted the written request.
(e) In this section, "law enforcement agency" means an
agency of this state or an agency of a political subdivision of this
state authorized by law to employ peace officers.
SECTION 2. Section 2153.305(a), Occupations Code, is
amended to read as follows:
(a) The comptroller may refuse to issue or renew or may
suspend or revoke a license or registration certificate, or a tax
permit or license the comptroller issues to the applicant or
registration certificate holder for a different tax or activity
administered by the comptroller, if:
(1) the applicant or license or registration
certificate holder violates this chapter or a rule adopted under
this chapter;
(2) the applicant or license or registration
certificate holder fails to answer a question or makes a false
statement in, or in connection with, an application;
(3) the applicant or license or registration
certificate holder extends or lends credit without notifying the
commissioner of the person's intent to extend or lend credit [as
required by Section 2153.253];
(4) the applicant or license or registration
certificate holder uses coercion to accomplish a purpose or engage
in conduct regulated by the comptroller; or
(5) the applicant or license or registration
certificate holder enters into a contract or agreement with the
owner of the location of a coin-operated machine and the contract or
agreement contains any kind of restriction relating to the location
owner's right to purchase, agree to purchase, or use a product,
commodity, or service that is not regulated under this chapter.
SECTION 3. 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.