89R16652 BEE-F
By: Bettencourt S.B. No. 2153
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the membership of and qualifications for the Texas
Lottery Commission.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 467.021, Government Code, is amended to
read as follows:
Sec. 467.021. MEMBERSHIP. (a) The commission is composed
of seven [five] members appointed by the governor with the advice
and consent of the senate as follows:
(1) five voting members appointed as provided by
Subsection (c); and
(2) two nonvoting members appointed as provided by
Subsection (d).
(b) In making appointments to the commission, the governor
shall strive to achieve representation by all the population groups
of the state [with regard to economic status, sex, race, and
ethnicity].
(c) In appointing the five voting commission members, the
governor shall appoint:
(1) one member who is a peace officer or an individual
with law enforcement experience;
(2) one member who is an attorney licensed to practice
law in this state;
(3) one member who is a certified public accountant;
and
(4) one [One] member who has [must have] experience in
the bingo industry.
(d) In appointing the two nonvoting commission members, the
governor shall appoint:
(1) one member who represents the Texas Food and Fuel
Association from a list of persons suggested by the association;
and
(2) one member who is an individual with knowledge of
the gaming industry.
(e) Commission members serve at the pleasure of the
governor.
SECTION 2. Section 467.024, Government Code, is amended by
amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsection (a-1) to read as
follows:
(a) An individual is not eligible to be [an] appointed or
serve as a voting member of the commission if the individual:
(1) is registered, certified, or licensed by a
regulatory agency in the field of bingo or lottery;
(2) owns or controls, directly or indirectly, more
than a 10 percent interest in a business entity or other
organization regulated by the commission or receiving funds from
the commission;
(3) is employed by or participates in the management
of a business entity or other organization regulated by or
receiving funds from the commission;
(4) uses or receives a substantial amount of tangible
goods, services, or funds from the commission, other than
compensation or reimbursement authorized by law for commission
membership, attendance, or expenses;
(5) is an officer, employee, or paid consultant of a
Texas trade association in the field of bingo or lottery;
(6) is required to register as a lobbyist under
Chapter 305 because of the person's activities for compensation on
behalf of a profession related to the operation of the commission;
(7) is married to an individual described by
Subdivisions (2)-(6);
(8) has been convicted of a felony or of any crime
involving moral turpitude; or
(9) is not a citizen of the United States.
(a-1) An individual is not eligible to be appointed or serve
as a nonvoting member of the commission if the individual:
(1) has been convicted of a felony or of any crime
involving moral turpitude; or
(2) is not a citizen of the United States.
SECTION 3. (a) The change in law made by this Act in the
qualifications of members of the Texas Lottery Commission does not
affect the entitlement of a member serving on the commission
immediately before the effective date of this Act to continue to
serve for the remainder of the member's term. As the terms of
commission members expire, the governor shall appoint or reappoint
a member who has the qualifications required for a member under
Section 467.021, Government Code, as amended by this Act.
(b) As soon as practicable after the effective date of this
Act, the governor shall appoint two nonvoting members to the Texas
Lottery Commission as required by Section 467.021(d), Government
Code, as added by this Act.
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, 2025.