1. (a) The commission may license a person who is an authorized organization eligible for a license to conduct bingo if the person is:

   1. (1) a religious society that has existed in this state for at least three years;

   2. (2) a nonprofit organization:

      1. (A) whose predominant activities are for the support of medical research or treatment programs; and

      2. (B) that for at least three years:

         1. (i) must have had a governing body or officers elected by a vote of members or by a vote of delegates elected by the members; or
         2. (ii) must have been affiliated with a state or national organization organized to perform the same purposes as the nonprofit organization;
   3. (3) a fraternal organization;
   4. (4) a veterans organization that has existed in this state for at least three years;
   5. (5) a volunteer fire department that has existed in this state for at least three years; or
   6. (6) a volunteer emergency medical services provider that has existed in this state for at least three years.

2. (b) A fraternal organization:

   1. (1) must have been organized in this state for at least three years;
   2. (2) must have had during the three-year period a bona fide membership actively and continuously engaged as an organization in furthering its authorized purposes; and

   3. (3) may not have authorized a person on behalf of its membership, governing body, or officers to support or oppose a particular candidate for public office by:

      1. (A) making political speeches;
      2. (B) passing out cards or other political literature;
      3. (C) writing letters;
      4. (D) signing or circulating petitions;
      5. (E) making campaign contributions; or
      6. (F) soliciting votes.

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

Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 636 (H.B. 1474), Sec. 4, eff. October 1, 2009.