1982-02-03 Regular Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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• ~~ a~ - ~ .~~ f ~.~~. ''~ y ~~ ,fl:\~~. SIL a7 i- 6001 L B Jr S1a1e C1~iiee BvilclinQ December 16, 1981 The Honorable J Mayor City of LaPorte P.O. Box 1115 LaPorte, Texas Dear Mayor Meza: J . Meza 77571 ~iIJ ~~~1~~~~ 'l.ampts-a'il,rr o[ ~ublic ~~eccunts ~u~'tnan, l~~~sa5 7S~ ~~ ~_ Several provisions of Texas' new Bingo Enabling Law will require close coordination between the Comptroller's office and local governing bodies now that the new law is in effect. I am enclosing a copy of the new law for your information and I would like to call your attention to a couple of provisions which will have immediate bearing in many areas. January 16 is the earliest date a local option bingo election can be held. (This is set out in the election code; the next available date will be April 3). If a local election is successful, the governing body of the area has 10 days from the date of election to notify thi s office i n writing of the date and results and furnish us with a map of the boundaries of the area in which bingo has been legalized. January 26, therefore, becomes the first date on which a legal bingo game could be conducted--provided the operator or promoter of the game holds a license from the Comptroller's office. It is a third degree felony to conduct, promote or administer a game without a license. Under Section 3 of the new law, the commissioners court or city council may impose a two percent gross receipts tax on games within its jurisdiction anytime after binge has been legalized by local election. Again, this office must have official notification that the tax has been imposed, along with the effective date. We look forward to working with you. If you need additional information, please give our Bingo Regulation Division a call at 1-800-252-5555, extension 169. • Si rely, BOB BULLOCK Comptroller of Public Accounts BB/ss Enclosure J /