HB396Introduced in the House of Delegates
Charitable gaming; definitions, Texas Hold'em poker tournaments, minimum age to participate.
Introduced by Paul Krizek, District 16
What does this bill do?
Plain-English breakdown
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Official description
Charitable gaming; Texas Hold'em poker tournaments. Increases from 18 years of age to 21 years of age the minimum age an individual must be to participate in Texas Hold'em poker tournaments. The bill provides that no qualified organization may conduct Texas Hold'em poker tournaments (i) at a location outside of the county, city, or town in which its principal office, as registered with the State Corporation Commission, is located or in an adjoining county, city, or town or (ii) at an establishment that has been granted a retail alcoholic beverage control license unless such license is held by the qualified organization. The bill also allows unlimited rebuys during the first two hours of tournament play or until the first break, whichever occurs first, and permits one add-on at the end of the rebuy period before play resumes at the end of the first break.
Where it stands
Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0601)
April 13, 2026
How did lawmakers vote?
House of Delegates votes
5 recorded votes · each counted separately
Senate votes
5 recorded votes · each counted separately
SenateStage: Conference report agreed to by Senate (25-Y 14-N 0-A) · March 13, 2026
25
Yes
14
No
1
Absent or Not Voting
40 senators recorded in this Senate vote. Colors show vote categories only, not whether a vote was good or bad.
See how each senator voted
| Senator | District | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| Elizabeth Bennett-Parker | 5 | Yes |
| Michael Jones | 77 | Yes |
| Timmy French | 1 | No |
| Mark Obenshain | 2 | No |
| Chris Head | 3 | No |
| David Suetterlein | 4 | No |
| Travis Hackworth | 5 | No |
| Todd Pillion | 6 | No |
| William Stanley | 7 | No |
| Mark Peake | 8 | No |
Bill history
Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26100031D
Referred to Committee on General Laws
Assigned HGL sub: ABC/Gaming
Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute (8-Y 1-N)
Reported from General Laws with substitute (20-Y 1-N)
Committee substitute printed 26105786D-H1
Read first time
Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB396)
Read second time
committee substitute agreed to
Engrossed by House - committee substitute
Read third time and passed House (88-Y 8-N 0-A)
Constitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading)
Referred to Committee on General Laws and Technology
Reported from General Laws and Technology with substitute (10-Y 3-N 1-A)
Committee substitute printed 26108211D-S1
Rules suspended
Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading) (40-Y 0-N 0-A)
Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)
Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB396)
Read third time
General Laws and Technology Substitute agreed to
Engrossed by Senate - committee substitute
Passed Senate with substitute (23-Y 15-N 0-A)
Senate substitute rejected by House (4-Y 93-N 0-A)
Senate insisted on substitute (39-Y 0-N 0-A)
Senate requested conference committee
House acceded to request
Conferees appointed by House
House Conferees: Krizek, Cole, J.G., Morefield
Conferees appointed by Senate
Senate Conferees: Jones, Carroll Foy, Reeves
Conference Report released
Conference report agreed to by House (88-Y 8-N 0-A)
Conference report agreed to by Senate (25-Y 14-N 0-A)
Enrolled
Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB396ER)
Signed by President
Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB396)
Signed by Speaker
Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 31, 2026
Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026
Approved by Governor-Chapter 601 (effective 7/1/2026)
Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0601)
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