SB2153 - Relating to the membership of and qualifications for the Texas Lottery Commission.

  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.