Sec. 2001.101. AUTHORIZED ORGANIZATION. (a) The commission may license a person who is an authorized organization eligible for a license to conduct bingo if the person is:

(1) a religious society that has existed in this state for at least three years;

(2) a nonprofit organization:

(A) whose predominant activities are for the support of medical research or treatment programs; and

(B) that for at least three years:

(i) must have had a governing body or officers elected by a vote of members or by a vote of delegates elected by the members; or

(ii) must have been affiliated with a state or national organization organized to perform the same purposes as the nonprofit organization;

(3) a fraternal organization;

(4) a veterans organization that has existed in this state for at least three years;

(5) a volunteer fire department that has existed in this state for at least three years; or

(6) a volunteer emergency medical services provider that has existed in this state for at least three years.

(b) A fraternal organization:

(1) must have been organized in this state for at least three years;

(2) must have had during the three-year period a bona fide membership actively and continuously engaged as an organization in furthering its authorized purposes; and

(3) may not have authorized a person on behalf of its membership, governing body, or officers to support or oppose a particular candidate for public office by:

(A) making political speeches;

(B) passing out cards or other political literature;

(C) writing letters;

(D) signing or circulating petitions;

(E) making campaign contributions; or

(F) soliciting votes.

Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 388, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1999.

Amended by:

Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 636 (H.B. 1474), Sec. 4, eff. October 1, 2009.