Texas § GV.466.020 - SECURITY

§ GV.466.020. SECURITY

SECURITY. (a) The executive director shall maintain an office of security within the department. The office of security shall assist the executive director in addressing any security-related matter arising under this chapter or Chapter 2001 , Occupations Code. The office may coordinate as necessary with the financial crimes intelligence center established under Chapter 2312, Occupations Code, for assistance with investigations, to receive guidance on security-related matters, and to provide information relevant to the office's operations. (b) Repealed by Acts 2025, 89th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1160 (S.B. 3070 ), Sec. 76(5), eff. June 20, 2025. (c) A security officer or investigator employed by the office of security or a peace officer who is working in conjunction with the department or the Department of Public Safety in the enforcement of this chapter, without a search warrant, may search and seize a lottery vending machine, lottery computer terminal, or other lottery equipment that is located on premises for which a person holds a sales agent license issued under this chapter. (d) The Department of Public Safety, at the department's request, shall perform a full criminal background investigation of a prospective investigator of the office of security. The department shall reimburse the Department of Public Safety for the actual costs of an investigation. (e) At least once every two years, the executive director shall employ an independent firm that is experienced in security, including computer security and systems security, to conduct a comprehensive study of all aspects of lottery security, including: (1) lottery personnel security; (2) sales agent security; (3) lottery operator and vendor security; (4) security against ticket counterfeiting and alteration and other means of fraudulent winning; (5) security of lottery drawings; (6) lottery computer, data communications, database, and systems security; (7) lottery premises and warehouse security; (8) security of distribution of tickets; (9) security of validation and payment procedures; (10) security involving unclaimed prizes; (11) security aspects of each lottery game; (12) security against the deliberate placement of winning tickets in lottery games that involve preprinted winning tickets by persons involved in the production, storage, transportation, or distribution of tickets; and (13) other security aspects of lottery operations. (f) The executive director shall provide the commission with a complete report of the security study conducted under Subsection (e). The commission shall provide the governor and the legislature, before the convening of each regular legislative session, with a summary of the security study that shows the overall evaluation of the lottery's security. Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 107, Sec. 4.03(b), eff. Aug. 30, 1993. Amended by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 76, Sec. 6.08, eff. Sept. 1, 1995. Amended by: Acts 2025, 89th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1160 (S.B. 3070 ), Sec. 11, eff. June 20, 2025. Acts 2025, 89th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1160 (S.B. 3070 ), Sec. 76(5), eff. June 20, 2025.