88(R) HJR 97 - 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, provide tax relief and funding for |
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education and public safety programs, and reform and support the |
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horse racing industry by authorizing casino gaming at destination |
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resorts, creating the Texas Gaming Commission, authorizing sports |
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wagering, requiring a license to conduct casino gaming, and |
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requiring the imposition of a gaming and sports wagering tax and |
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license application fees. |
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BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. The Legislature finds that: |
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(1) the qualified voters of this state should have the |
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opportunity to decide whether to authorize casino gaming at |
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destination resorts; and |
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(2) if authorized by those voters, casino gaming at |
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destination resorts should: |
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(A) serve the public interest by fostering |
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economic development and job growth and providing tax relief and |
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funding for education and public safety programs; |
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(B) be strictly regulated by a newly created |
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state agency empowered to adopt rules regulating who may obtain a |
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casino license and the conduct of casino gaming in this state; |
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(C) be limited to areas of this state in which |
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pari-mutuel wagering has previously been approved; |
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(D) be limited to areas of this state in which the |
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greatest positive economic impact from destination resort |
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development can be realized; |
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(E) utilize some existing pari-mutuel racing |
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licenses to allow more immediate development of destination resorts |
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and to more quickly realize the related job growth and economic |
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development; |
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(F) encourage participation by and competition |
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between multiple casino license holders; and |
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(G) result in the reform and revitalization of |
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the horse racing industry in this state and the industry's benefits |
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to agricultural businesses in this state. |
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SECTION 2. 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 3. 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: |
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(1) "Casino" means licensed facilities located at a |
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destination resort at which casino gaming is conducted. |
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(2) "Casino gaming" means any game of chance or |
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similar activity that involves placing a bet for consideration. |
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The term includes wagering on any type of slot machine or table |
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game, as defined by the legislature, using money, casino credit, or |
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any other representation of value. The term does not include: |
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(A) bingo, a charitable raffle, or the state |
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lottery authorized under Section 47 of this article; or |
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(B) placing, receiving, or otherwise knowingly |
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transmitting a bet or wager by a means that requires the use of the |
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Internet, except for offering slot machines, table games, or other |
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devices the Texas Gaming Commission approves that use the Internet |
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or networking functionality but are played onsite at a casino. |
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(3) "Casino license" means a license to conduct |
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casino gaming at a casino. |
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(4) "Destination resort" means a mixed-use |
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development consisting of casino gaming facilities and a |
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combination of various tourism amenities and facilities, including |
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hotels, restaurants, meeting facilities, attractions, |
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entertainment facilities, and shopping centers. |
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(5) "Education" means public education, public higher |