88(R) SJR 17 - Introduced version - Bill Text
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A JOINT RESOLUTION
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proposing a constitutional amendment to foster economic |
 
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development and job growth and to provide tax relief and funding for |
 
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education and public safety by creating the Texas Gaming |
 
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Commission, authorizing and regulating casino gaming at a limited |
 
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number of destination resorts and facilities licensed by the |
 
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commission, authorizing sports wagering, requiring occupational |
 
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licenses to conduct casino gaming, and requiring the imposition of |
 
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a tax. |
 
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             BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
 
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             SECTION  1.    Section 47(a), Article III, Texas Constitution, |
 
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is amended to read as follows: |
 
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             (a)    The Legislature shall pass laws prohibiting lotteries |
 
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and gift enterprises in this State other than those authorized by |
 
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Subsections (b), (d), (d-1), and (e) of this section and Section 47a |
 
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of this article. |
 
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             SECTION  2.    Article III, Texas Constitution, is amended by |
 
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adding Section 47a to read as follows: |
 
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             Sec.  47a.    (a)    In this section, unless modified by general |
 
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law: |
 
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                         (1)    "Casino" means a licensed facility at which casino |
 
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gaming is conducted. |
 
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                         (2)    "Casino gaming" means any game of chance or |
 
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similar activity that involves the making of a bet for |
 
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consideration. The term includes wagering on any type of slot |
 
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machine or table game as defined by the legislature, using money, |
 
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casino credit, or any representation of value. The term does not |
 
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include bingo, charitable raffles, or the state lottery authorized |
 
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under Section 47 of this article. |
 
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                         (3)    "Destination resort" means a mixed-use |
 
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development consisting of a combination of various tourism |
 
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amenities and facilities, including hotels, villas, restaurants, |
 
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limited gaming facilities, meeting facilities, attractions, |
 
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entertainment facilities, shopping centers, and casino gaming |
 
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facilities.   |
 
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                         (4)    "Education" means public education, public higher |
 
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education, and adult education related to responsible gaming. |
 
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                         (5)    "Gaming position" means a designated position for |
 
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a person to engage in casino gaming at a table game or slot machine. |
 
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                         (6)    "Limited casino gaming" means casino gaming in a |
 
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licensed facility that is limited to not more than 750 gaming |
 
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positions, of which not more than 25 percent may be at table games, |
 
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as defined by the legislature. |
 
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                         (7)    "Metropolitan statistical area" means a |
 
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metropolitan statistical area designated by the United States |
 
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Office of Management and Budget. |
 
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                         (8)    "Public safety programs" means programs for crime |
 
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prevention and law enforcement, including programs designed to |
 
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prevent and prosecute crimes involving human trafficking. |
 
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             (b)    Casino gaming at a limited number of locations is |
 
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authorized in this state in accordance with this section to foster |
 
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economic development and job growth and to provide tax relief and |
 
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funding for education and public safety programs. |
 
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             (c)    The legislature by general law shall establish the Texas |
 
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Gaming Commission with broad authority to adopt rules the |
 
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commission considers necessary or desirable for the strict |
 
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regulation of casino gaming as authorized by this section.   |
 
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             (d)    The legislature by general law may authorize and |
 
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regulate the placing of wagers on sporting events, as defined by |
 
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general law. |
 
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             (e)    The legislature shall authorize the Texas Gaming |
 
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Commission to: |
 
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                         (1)    issue not more than four Class I gaming licenses to |
 
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conduct casino gaming at destination resorts located in |
 
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metropolitan statistical areas of this state with an estimated |
 
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population of two million or more on July 1, 2021, provided that |
 
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only one Class I licensed destination resort is located within any |
 
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one metropolitan statistical area; |
 
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                         (2)    issue not more tha
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