HBA-MPA H.B. 3143 76(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 3143
By: Kuempel
Licensing & Administrative Procedures
4/13/1999
Introduced



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

The law creating automated bingo services was passed in 1995 and was
amended in 1997 to stipulate the use of bar codes on bingo paper.  Coded
paper allows the use of bar codes or alphanumeric numbering.  Both methods
can be read by computer.  H.B. 3143 defines automated bingo by stating that
coded paper is used in the game.  This bill also includes tracking of bingo
game cards while the game is being played in the definition of automated
bingo services, and places automated bingo in the same category as instant
bingo. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does
not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, department, agency, or institution. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Section 2, Article 179d, V.T.C.S. (Bingo Enabling Act),
to define "automated bingo services" as a computerized system for
conducting and playing automated bingo, registering and tracking bingo game
cards, bingo sales, prizes, inventory, and prize fees, and other enumerated
operations.  Defines "automated bingo" as bingo conducted using automated
bingo services and played using coded bingo paper approved by the Texas
Lottery Commission. 

SECTION 2.  Amends Section 11(f), Article 179d, V.T.C.S., to prohibit a
series of prizes offered or awarded on any one bingo occasion for bingo
games other than instant bingo or automated bingo from aggregating  more
than $2,500. 

SECTION 3.  Effective date: September 1, 1999.

SECTION 4.  Emergency clause.