Sec. 2002.002. DEFINITIONS. In this chapter:

(1) "Charitable purposes" means:

(A) benefitting needy or deserving persons in this state, indefinite in number, by:

(i) enhancing their opportunities for religious or educational advancement;

(ii) relieving them from disease, suffering, or distress;

(iii) contributing to their physical well-being;

(iv) assisting them in establishing themselves in life as worthy and useful citizens; or

(v) increasing their comprehension of and devotion to the principles on which this nation was founded and enhancing their loyalty to their government;

(B) initiating, performing, or fostering worthy public works in this state; or

(C) enabling or furthering the erection or maintenance of public structures in this state.

(1-a) "Money" means coins, paper currency, or a negotiable instrument that represents and is readily convertible to coins or paper currency.

(2) "Qualified organization" means a qualified religious society, qualified volunteer fire department, qualified volunteer emergency medical service, or qualified nonprofit organization.

(3) "Qualified religious society" means a church, synagogue, or other organization or association organized primarily for religious purposes that:

(A) has been in existence in this state for at least 10 years; and

(B) does not distribute any of its income to its members, officers, or governing body, other than as reasonable compensation for services or for reimbursement of expenses.

(4) "Qualified volunteer emergency medical service" means an association that:

(A) is organized primarily to provide and actively provides emergency medical, rescue, or ambulance services;

(B) does not pay its members compensation other than nominal compensation; and

(C) does not distribute any of its income to its members, officers, or governing body other than for reimbursement of expenses.

(5) "Qualified volunteer fire department" means an association that:

(A) operates fire-fighting equipment;

(B) is organized primarily to provide and actively provides fire-fighting services;

(C) does not pay its members compensation other than nominal compensation; and

(D) does not distribute any of its income to its members, officers, or governing body, other than for reimbursement of expenses.

(6) "Raffle" means the award of one or more prizes by chance at a single occasion among a single pool or group of persons who have paid or promised a thing of value for a ticket that represents a chance to win a prize.

(7) "Reverse raffle" means a raffle in which the last ticket or tickets drawn are considered the winning tickets.

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

Amended by:

Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 929 (H.B. 541), Sec. 1, eff. June 18, 2005.

Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 1006 (H.B. 659), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2005.