Overall Vote Recommendation

Neutral

Principle Criteria

Free Enterprise

Property Rights

Personal Responsibility

Limited Government

Individual Liberty

Digest

HB 3308 proposes amendments to Section 2004.002 of the Texas Occupations Code, which governs the conduct of charitable raffles by professional sports team charitable foundations. The bill expands the current definition of "professional sports team" to include rodeo organizations that are sanctioned by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) or the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association (WPRA), as well as those hosting a "Professional Rodeo Event." Additionally, it introduces a new term, "rodeo venue," defining it as a facility in Texas that is either the home venue of a PRCA- or WPRA-sanctioned organization or a location that hosts professional rodeo events.

Currently, charitable raffles are restricted to a narrow list of professional sports entities. By including PRCA- and WPRA-affiliated rodeo organizations in this framework, the bill allows their charitable foundations to conduct raffles under the same conditions as other professional sports team foundations. These raffles often serve as significant fundraising tools, helping foundations support community initiatives, scholarships, and public welfare projects.

The measure recognizes rodeo as a professional sport of cultural and economic importance in Texas, ensuring parity with other sports leagues under state charitable gaming law. H.B. 3308 does not change the regulatory framework or introduce new compliance obligations but merely widens eligibility within an existing legal structure.

The originally filed version of HB 3308, as introduced, sought to expand the list of entities eligible to conduct charitable raffles under Chapter 2004 of the Texas Occupations Code. It did so by amending the definition of “professional sports team” to include organizations that either host a “Professional Rodeo Event” or are sanctioned by either the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) or the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association (WPRA). The bill also introduced the term “rodeo venue,” defining it as a facility in Texas that is the home venue of, or hosts events for, organizations recognized by the PRCA or WPRA.

The House Committee Substitute version preserves the intent and general structure of the original bill but makes a few notable clarifications and structural refinements. First, in the committee version, the definition of "professional sports team" was slightly restructured for clarity and includes additional specificity around rodeo-related qualifications. It consolidates and clarifies that eligibility applies to both sanctioned rodeo organizations and those hosting professional rodeo events, ensuring broader inclusion without ambiguity.

Additionally, the committee substitute streamlines the language defining “rodeo venue” to more precisely align with existing statutory formatting and definitions, emphasizing that such a venue must be owned or operated by a qualifying rodeo organization or used as its home venue. These adjustments do not change the core scope or impact of the bill but improve statutory consistency and precision—typical of committee substitutes reviewed in light of the Texas Legislative Council drafting guidelines.

Overall, the changes reflect careful drafting refinement rather than substantive policy shifts. The committee version maintains the legislative goal of treating rodeo charitable foundations on par with other professional sports foundations in terms of raffle eligibility.

Author

Charlie Geren

Co-Author

Penny Morales Shaw

Contact the Author

Rep. Charlie Geren

Capitol Phone:

(512) 463-0610

Capitol Office:

CAP GW.15

E-Mail:

[email protected]

Visit Official Website

Fiscal Notes

According to the Legislative Budget Board (LBB), HB 3308 is not expected to have a significant fiscal impact on the State of Texas. The rationale for this conclusion is that any administrative costs associated with implementing the provisions of the bill can be absorbed within the existing resources of relevant state agencies. In essence, the expansion of eligibility for charitable raffles to include professional rodeo event hosts does not necessitate new infrastructure, oversight mechanisms, or staffing that would require additional state appropriations.

For local governments, the legislation similarly carries no anticipated significant fiscal implications. Since the bill does not impose new mandates or enforcement responsibilities at the county or municipal level, and because it pertains to nonprofit charitable fundraising rather than revenue-generating regulatory activities, its implementation is fiscally neutral for local jurisdictions.

Additionally, the bill does not create or modify any criminal penalties, nor does it involve any changes that would impact correctional populations or judicial system workloads. Therefore, it has no fiscal consequences for the criminal justice system. Overall, HB 3308 is a narrowly tailored measure with targeted regulatory expansion and minimal financial footprint, consistent with legislative efficiency and limited-government principles.

Vote Recommendation Notes

HB 3308 is a narrowly tailored proposal that seeks to expand eligibility for charitable raffles to include professional rodeo organizations, either sanctioned by leading rodeo associations or hosting qualifying events. The bill does so by amending existing definitions in the Occupations Code to encompass rodeo foundations under the scope of the Professional Sports Team Charitable Foundation Raffle Enabling Act. It does not alter the regulatory framework or create new gaming mechanisms—raffles would still be subject to the same controls governing frequency, use of proceeds, and prize restrictions.

From a policy perspective, the bill supports nonprofit fundraising for organizations that already contribute to community-oriented missions such as scholarships and public service programs. Rodeo events are a culturally significant part of Texas life, and the inclusion of their charitable arms within this statutory raffle structure is consistent with other allowances made for professional sports teams. The bill also carries no fiscal cost to the state or local governments, imposes no new mandates on individuals or businesses, and retains all existing regulatory controls.

However, a neutral vote reflects legitimate caution about the incremental expansion of statutory definitions. While this bill does not grow government or impose new regulatory burdens, it continues a trend of expanding the scope of laws that were initially more narrowly crafted. Lawmakers concerned about long-term legislative creep or the dilution of statutory clarity may be reluctant to support each successive addition to eligibility without broader reform or review of the overall framework.

Texas Policy Research remains NEUTRAL on HB 3308.

The bill expands the ability of nonprofit rodeo foundations to engage in lawful charitable raffles, which supports the principle of individual liberty. It allows these organizations the freedom to raise funds through voluntary participation in a regulated activity. No one is compelled to participate, and the activity serves community-based charitable missions. This empowers private organizations to act without unnecessary government interference.
HB 3308 neither imposes mandates nor undermines personal accountability. It entrusts rodeo charitable organizations with the same responsibilities already held by other professional sports team foundations—comply with raffle regulations and responsibly manage proceeds for charitable use. It neither promotes dependency nor shifts burdens away from individuals or organizations.
The bill encourages a freer charitable landscape by extending lawful fundraising tools to more nonprofit organizations, particularly those rooted in Texas's unique rodeo culture. It allows charitable foundations operating alongside professional rodeos to compete on equal footing with other sports-affiliated charities in the philanthropic space. While this isn’t commercial free enterprise in the traditional sense, it reflects the spirit of voluntary, market-based solutions to community needs.
The bill has no direct effect on private property rights. It neither restricts nor expands the use or disposition of private property. Its focus is on eligibility for charitable raffles conducted by qualifying organizations and held at qualifying venues, without imposing new conditions on property owners or operators.
HB 3308 operates entirely within an existing regulatory framework and does not create new agencies, enforcement mechanisms, or financial obligations for the state. It modestly expands the scope of who can participate in charitable raffles without expanding regulatory complexity. This restrained legislative approach respects the principle of limited government by leveraging current systems rather than building new ones.

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