Bill > SB171

This bill creates a new instant-ticket lottery game specifically designed to support child-care services administered by the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC). The Texas Lottery Commission will be responsible for developing and managing this game, including setting ticket prices, determining payout amounts, and continuously making tickets available for sale. The commission must also market the game in a way that clearly communicates that proceeds will benefit child-care services, and must encourage lottery sales agents to sell these specific tickets. The bill mandates that revenue from this game will be transferred to the general revenue fund and appropriated exclusively to fund the TWC's child-care services program. Additionally, the bill modifies existing lottery regulations regarding unclaimed prize money, establishing that a portion of unclaimed prize funds (up to $5 million annually) can be deposited into the general revenue fund specifically for child-care services. The Texas Lottery Commission is required to begin selling these specialized lottery tickets no later than March 2, 2026, with the bill taking effect on September 1, 2025, providing a structured approach to generating additional funding for child-care services in Texas.

Government Affairs

https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=SB171