[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6061612,"mediaKeyId","3281194-ae66e566ad565d217f7c98a884bfe167","parentId",3281194,"title","Senator proposes moving lottery oversight to TDLR, tightens rules after alleged misconduct; committee hears one witness and leaves bill pending","audioSeconds",110,"startMs",1434965,"endMs",1545435,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3281194-ae66e566ad565d217f7c98a884bfe167&start=1434&end=1545","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3281194-ae66e566ad565d217f7c98a884bfe167/thumbnail_1434965.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6061612/Texas/Senator-proposes-moving-lottery-oversight-to-TDLR-tightens-rules-after-alleged-misconduct-committee-hears-one-witness-and-leaves-bill-pending","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6061612-bb1ae65840c565af8fb87f027ebb6e02/orig.mp4?Expires=1775630431&Signature=OKYHkr6yCYsjTWmgG9x3ylAueusG-oIvVWbCu6ZbtPEi9k2-bDvUu3AfXfvUbhFGlCfWmUwBvpoMF3OjLR5oOkeuR45RZvQHkRcjQopD~OtbPQ8zQad9S~qxCgaGli88LnDBcSzQdFuMGBXf67S4ZX8iCn5JHcloWJshQNOV66GDwX~LNnI9quDjbVzUD5qVrLf78RApvMvmW219tPBOo8ZAp3PP7w1fPXhZN863oXQRh7atvNA1~ztuWnmGXSStdI4pebruCOh7~FqHIET3zL3aVebYVeeUuEPL1qukldcnmRAAQgPAoBQvUOt8JTc1zxzm6u1aEiaiR6KLYv1Piw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Texas Legislature","date","2025-05-12T00:00:00Z","article","Senate Bill 3070, laid out in the Committee on State Affairs, would dissolve the Texas Lottery Commission and transfer lottery oversight, contracts, assets and budgets to the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR). Senator Charles Hall, the bill's author, described a series of alleged administrative failures at the lottery commission and proposed structural and enforcement changes to improve oversight and transparency.

Hall said the bill would require TDLR to assume the lottery commission's rules, transfer all contracts and assets, and prohibit appointment to the new lottery division for anyone convicted of a felony or crime involving moral turpitude. The measure would create a lottery advisory committee composed of public members, licensed sales agents and stakeholder representatives, prohibit sale of more than 100 tickets to a player in a single transaction, and require RFP issuance for a new vendor by Sept. 1, 2025. Hall also proposed amendments to preserve all documentation for at least 18 months, post comprehensive minutes of formal and informal meetings on the lottery division website for 10 years, limit ticket‑printing machines to five per location, and require an annual state‑auditor audit of lottery actions.

Hall described a specific incident in which a business entity identified in the hearing transcripts as \"Rook Text Texas\" collected proceeds from a $95,000,000 jackpot; he said the bill would restore certain limits and create a sunset review to conclude by Aug. 31, 2027, with automatic abolition of the state lottery on Dec. 1, 2027, unless continued. Rob Koehler, representing the Christian Life Commission of the Baptist General Convention of Texas, testified in support and urged prohibiting anonymous prize claims and limiting high‑priced scratch tickets. The committee opened public testimony, heard Koehler and no others, and left the bill pending.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Senate Committee on State Affairs May 12, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Senate Bill 3070 would dissolve the Texas Lottery Commission, transfer authority to the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR), impose new procurement and transparency requirements, and create a sunset review; Senator Hall presented multiple amendments and a witness testified in favor; the committee left the bill pending.","taxTitle","Committee on State Affairs, Senate, Legislative, Texas","taxId",16216,"location","Texas","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6061617,"Bill would add one‑year grace period for expired Texas handgun licenses",78,1188450,1266762,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3281194-ae66e566ad565d217f7c98a884bfe167&start=1188&end=1266","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3281194-ae66e566ad565d217f7c98a884bfe167/thumbnail_1188450.jpg","/articles/6061617/Texas/Bill-would-add-oneyear-grace-period-for-expired-Texas-handgun-licenses","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6061617-257aa7cd942a6dd8dbee5aa6b405b493/orig.mp4?Expires=1775630431&Signature=anbtlCnpN0hbGotk96yKmFUc7oBgFxe1WbbUxf0c7TLhCUTQEKulGpK4sbhDb-yPxSFPe8spDVjVt1ySCz0XOCedchc1drtEJhBoVklq8iIusPdbWVfI3FipDHx~HyXES8fgc~5zH5YNusyu-d0NTDPcm0ksd4dQVdss5s8DfYn7PsHpQkc5VvGAjlNw1cnkLsiYlUWhikV6fgKVzkayubgxWnVq2FzlDLj9DOmrYX8PVFhI-zEPlaNzm40abm13gBAMIV3Fw5R3YZFNn3OBQQ38RVrm00rfikXIcoj14tEFaOjkeXuYTs5~bHz2gbZje4lm9LAZOQ~oHhWE1RXVPQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Committee on State Affairs took up House Bill 668, which would add a one‑year grace period after the expiration of a Texas license to carry a handgun during which the licensee could complete the renewal process without repeating the full new‑applicant requirements.

Senator Cedric Kolkhorst, presenting the measure, said that under current law an initial license is issued for four years and renewals are valid for five. He said: \"Renewed license are valid for 5 years. However, if a licensed handgun owner forgets to renew their license by the expiration date, they could lose their license and have to start the application process all over again.\" Kolkhorst said HB 668 would add one year after expiration to allow renewal without repeating fingerprinting and proficiency training already on file with DPS, and that the bill \"codifies that policy\" which DPS already applies in administrative rules.

A resource witness was present and committee members declined to ask questions; no members of the public testified and the committee left the bill pending.","House Bill 668 would add a one‑year grace period after expiration during which a license‑to‑carry holder could renew without undergoing the full new‑applicant process; the Committee on State Affairs left the bill pending after a short presentation and no public testimony.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6061622,"Bill would require social media complaint systems for explicit nonconsensual deepfakes; committee leaves measure pending",98,749955,848125,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3281194-ae66e566ad565d217f7c98a884bfe167&start=749&end=848","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3281194-ae66e566ad565d217f7c98a884bfe167/thumbnail_749955.jpg","/articles/6061622/Texas/Bill-would-require-social-media-complaint-systems-for-explicit-nonconsensual-deepfakes-committee-leaves-measure-pending","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6061622-78c90f1c3ae2a0c451e53145dda36bb0/orig.mp4?Expires=1775630431&Signature=ettB7fpL6LVE2~GQpOTPNTtyg~JLf7Dt0d0EYs8KtlKSxlqDBMrLFJqOxeBu~kBaia2Q~zF95JB6Gd4h1kRvijOvrkwn1fvp8uS6FAdRqSG4KwaSSh~ubQW6PQv68uSa7SC9xraOoFpVlTcMHQo9IHZ2PMPyWFrPuPitusNVcpQ5NKfiAyUD-dHpMe8SVFTp9lrokYwwAc~onCkT6lYigJ-hfeeq7PdHKAaFHMcuIcmepaNo5uiAw1gdrs6b-QAqldSW0Fc4HJF57qPbw6ukwyq-7j6ZE9oDq87vGwkfyjTx966E6MUffHRu8B9UPPvHLJF9ahkiRX1epAmGmYVGQg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Committee on State Affairs laid out House Bill 31,133, which would add explicit deep‑fake material to the list of content for which social media platforms must maintain an easily accessible complaint system and adopt investigation timelines.

Senator Birdwell, presenting the bill, said it would require platforms to \"remove content reported as explicit deep fake material, confirm receipt of a complaint within 48 hours, conduct an investigation into the complaint, and provide a written update on the status of the complaint not later than 7 days after it's submitted.\" He noted the bill also outlines investigative procedures platforms must follow when they receive complaints.

Birdwell referenced pending federal legislation — described in the hearing as the \"Take It Down Act\" — and said the committee would leave HB 31,133 pending so members could \"closely review both pieces of legislation and ensure there are no conflicting processes for the removal of this harmful material.\" Committee members raised concerns about how platforms would determine whether a reported item is a deep fake and how to avoid removing legitimate content based on incorrect reports. No public witnesses testified at the hearing and the bill was left pending.","House Bill 31133 would add explicit deep‑fake material to the types of content social platforms must have complaint systems for, require removal where appropriate and set timeframes for acknowledgment and updates; the Committee on State Affairs left the bill pending to review potential overlap with federal legislation.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6061626,"Bill would bar county election administrators from holding certain appointed political offices",55,667815,723565,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3281194-ae66e566ad565d217f7c98a884bfe167&start=667&end=723","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3281194-ae66e566ad565d217f7c98a884bfe167/thumbnail_667815.jpg","/articles/6061626/Texas/Bill-would-bar-county-election-administrators-from-holding-certain-appointed-political-offices","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6061626-0be2a053a136d7e7b4b34fe5ef14f75b/orig.mp4?Expires=1775630431&Signature=n-mvNcpy6HMJJWGlPe8d-eNeP6HxMgudVq7obxY-eybWEcYvMkzQo5uSKvlX9ZEUukJqP7KyLT4kr-AqJFLhZWo0Mssn5rdAMjVTwdHTDfXRFN~Jmhq2l9eByf84wCvUqntiIQrgAlK~vM5vvZSO8unfszqPOT6Z4DXVz7y~Fh2ArVZrijG8gQ34Ij4PIxa6PZTVX7AvndIcO9znxbpZzqKtk1ht1io388KuwsHeNdSIjBszqEHR9zQImdpzNsx-B6hYxXmRuJ~r3WVbV3Y3nkBBUYHY~kgAv28Ojxf0QigLJfg8KYVb4ax1DUyu5Hf7MAakBqyBhAtLmqXOBIP7Lg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Committee on State Affairs heard House Bill 677, a companion to Senate Bill 2819, which would prohibit county election administrators from simultaneously holding an appointed office that is filled by an elected official.

Senator Birdwell, presenting the measure for the sponsor, said the bill \"prohibits county election administrators from holding an officer position appointed by an elected official while serving as an election administrator.\" The committee opened public testimony and recorded none.

Committee members discussed that existing law already places limitations on election administrators and that HB 677 would add a prohibition on serving in appointed political offices. No vote was taken and the bill was left pending.","House Bill 677 would prohibit county election administrators from serving in appointed officer positions that are appointed by elected officials; the Senate Committee on State Affairs left the bill pending after no public testimony.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6061631,"Bill would require precinct‑chair applicants to give contact info while keeping it confidential",45,43685,89000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3281194-ae66e566ad565d217f7c98a884bfe167&start=43&end=89","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3281194-ae66e566ad565d217f7c98a884bfe167/thumbnail_43685.jpg","/articles/6061631/Texas/Bill-would-require-precinctchair-applicants-to-give-contact-info-while-keeping-it-confidential","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6061631-88706d0f7f115d6732d0098f93cc1c0a/orig.mp4?Expires=1775630431&Signature=ED-asOvxRbmWIVr6jxPDB6585d3X-Uyuy461J1lhPnS~SS3AbkxYKf8YQzmuoZds9musXVSAwFquj~7K1jPGBxWEfiZJTT2FBFlM3KBRxixA5Woux3TWx5AR9bsl4yWT0xsTE8cfu~sVXNEucbCdaBxD~AKo~DEqoMZSc~OWU-5byEDDH-EaBrwSRt7rM4mZ65Ag-F7YbzKUtWiSfawj6LcYDxfzgm5UvkC65sSYR47Gg9etibLMRhDru7Cd1FYsO~cZ~ooDjDdzCSKhmVRXwt8WAJKrFpVziARI3dcxvuONrONCYyhDBAA3Re4ZyhSXGvxJRkI~E~Gik7cE03fo9w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Committee on State Affairs considered House Bill 766, which would require precinct‑chair applicants to include an email address, phone number or both on their application and make that contact information confidential.

The dean of the Senate, who presented the measure, said: \"It simply would require precinct to include their email addresses, phone numbers or both on their applications and ensure that contact information would remain confidential and not considered public information. That's all it does.\" The committee opened public testimony and heard none.

The bill was discussed briefly and left pending for further consideration; no amendments or votes were taken during the hearing. Committee staff did not record any public witnesses for or against the measure during the meeting.","House Bill 766 would require precinct‑chair candidates to include an email address, phone number, or both on their ballot‑application forms and would designate that contact information as confidential; the Senate Committee on State Affairs left the bill pending after no public testimony.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Senator proposes moving lottery oversight to TDLR, tightens rules after alleged misconduct; committee hears one witness and leaves bill pending

Bill would add one‑year grace period for expired Texas handgun licenses

Bill would require social media complaint systems for explicit nonconsensual deepfakes; committee leaves measure pending

Bill would bar county election administrators from holding certain appointed political offices

Bill would require precinct‑chair applicants to give contact info while keeping it confidential