616, Senator Gutierrez’s other piece of legislation, is contingent on the approval of SJR 36. What is Senate Bill 616 and its intended result? The Amendment is set for vote on November 2, 2021, and if successful, will effectively amend the Texas Constitution, and authorize the consideration of S.B.

Furthermore, the Amendment specifically requires county approval of proposed casino operations and allows state agencies operating state lotteries to adopt rules implementing casino operations, even in the absence of enabling legislation.

If successful, the Texas legislature may pass laws authorizing the licensing and operations of twelve Texas casinos, subject to express limitations.Īccording to the Amendment, any law passed by the Texas legislature under the amended section must include licensing, regulatory, and enforcement provisions. SJR 36 seeks to change that and effectively add a limited number of Texas casinos to the list of exceptions. Therefore, as it stands, the Texas legislature is prohibited from considering legislation that permits casino operations, and instead must pass laws that prohibit such activity. The Texas Constitution currently includes a short list of enumerated exceptions, but casinos do not make the list.

What is Senate Joint Resolution 36 and its intended result?Ĭurrently, Section 47 of the Texas Constitution requires that the Texas legislature “pass laws prohibiting lotteries and gift enterprises” in Texas. 616), Gutierrez’s other piece of legislation, does just that. If passed, the Amendment opens the door for the Texas legislature to pass laws permitting the licensure and regulation of up to twelve Texas casinos, and Senate Bill 616 (S.B. On February 8, 2021, San Antonio Democratic Senator Roland Gutierrez filed Senate Joint Resolution 36 (SJR 36 or hereafter, the “Amendment”) in an effort to amend the Texas Constitution and thus pave the way for commercial casinos in Texas.

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