Bill Text: TX HB4446 | 2023-2024 | 88th Legislature | Enrolled


Bill Title: Relating to certain licensing and permitting requirements for game rooms; authorizing an occupational permit or license; authorizing a fee.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 3-0)

Status: (Passed) 2023-06-18 - Effective on 9/1/23 [HB4446 Detail]

Download: Texas-2023-HB4446-Enrolled.html
 
 
  H.B. No. 4446
 
 
 
 
AN ACT
  relating to certain licensing and permitting requirements for game
  rooms; authorizing an occupational permit or license; authorizing a
  fee.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 234.134, Local Government Code, is
  amended by amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsection (a-1) to
  read as follows:
         (a)  A county may require that an owner or operator of a game
  room obtain a license or permit or renew a license or permit on a
  periodic basis to own or operate a game room in the county. An
  application for a license or permit must be made in accordance with
  Section 234.1341 and with regulations adopted by the county.
         (a-1)  A county may require that a person employed by a game
  room, other than an owner or operator, obtain a license or permit or
  renew a license or permit on a periodic basis to be employed by a
  game room in the county. An application for a license or permit
  must be made in accordance with Section 234.1342 and with
  regulations adopted by the county. 
         SECTION 2.  Subchapter E, Chapter 234, Local Government
  Code, is amended by adding Sections 234.1341 and 234.1342 to read as
  follows:
         Sec. 234.1341.  APPLICATION FOR OWNER OR OPERATOR LICENSE OR
  PERMIT. (a)  A county requiring a person to obtain a license or
  permit to own or operate a game room in the county shall require the
  person to submit a completed application as provided by this
  section for issuance or renewal of the license or permit and an
  application fee of $1,000 as required by the county.
         (b)  An application form developed by the county under this
  section must require the applicant to provide the following
  information:
               (1)  the name of the business, including a copy of the
  assumed name certificate;
               (2)  the legal name, social security number, date of
  birth, and other relevant information concerning each person who
  owns at least five percent of the business or serves in a management
  role for the business;
               (3)  the name and contact information of the owner of
  the property where the game room is located;
               (4)  information concerning any other game room
  previously or currently operated by the applicant; 
               (5)  the applicant's fingerprints;
               (6)  a copy of the applicant's valid state-issued
  driver's license or personal identification card and social
  security card; and
               (7)  the applicant's consent for a criminal history
  record information check of the applicant. 
         Sec. 234.1342.  APPLICATION FOR EMPLOYEE LICENSE OR PERMIT.
  (a)  A county requiring a person to obtain a license or permit to be
  employed by a game room in the county shall require the person to
  submit a completed application as provided by this section for
  issuance or renewal of the license or permit and an application fee
  of $50 as required by the county.
         (b)  An application form developed by the county under this
  section must require the applicant to provide the following
  information:
               (1)  the person's legal name, social security number,
  date of birth, and other relevant information;
               (2)  the person's criminal history;
               (3)  the applicant's fingerprints;
               (4)  a copy of the applicant's valid state-issued
  driver's license or personal identification card and social
  security card;
               (5)  a recent photograph of the applicant's face and a
  recent photograph of the applicant's full body; and
               (6)  the applicant's consent for a criminal history
  record information check of the applicant. 
         (c)  A county may not issue or renew a license or permit for
  an applicant who has been previously convicted of a Class B
  misdemeanor or higher criminal offense.
         (d)  A county shall send a copy of fingerprints obtained
  under this section to the Department of Public Safety to allow the
  department to create a permanent record of the fingerprints in the
  criminal justice information system.
         SECTION 3.  The changes in law made by this Act apply to a
  license or permit issued or renewed on or after the effective date
  of this Act.
         SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.
 
 
  ______________________________ ______________________________
     President of the Senate Speaker of the House     
 
 
         I certify that H.B. No. 4446 was passed by the House on May 5,
  2023, by the following vote:  Yeas 124, Nays 22, 1 present, not
  voting.
 
  ______________________________
  Chief Clerk of the House   
 
 
         I certify that H.B. No. 4446 was passed by the Senate on May
  19, 2023, by the following vote:  Yeas 27, Nays 4.
 
  ______________________________
  Secretary of the Senate    
  APPROVED:  _____________________
                     Date          
   
            _____________________
                   Governor       
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