Roland Gutierrez Files Constitutional Amendments To Allow Kickapoo Tribe Gaming In Texas
State Sen. Roland Gutierrez filed two proposed constitutional amendments that would authorize the Kickapoo Traditional Tribe of Texas, based near Eagle Pass, to conduct gaming.
EAGLE PASS, Texas – State Sen. Roland Gutierrez filed two proposed constitutional amendments Monday Nov. 9 that would authorize the Kickapoo Traditional Tribe of Texas to conduct gaming, according to bill records posted by the Texas Legislature.
The Kickapoo Traditional Tribe of Texas has its reservation near Eagle Pass in Maverick County, where it runs the Kickapoo Lucky Eagle Casino. Gutierrez, a San Antonio Democrat, keeps a district office in Uvalde, according to his Texas Senate page.
Two Different Paths
Senate Joint Resolution 12 would propose a constitutional amendment authorizing the tribe to conduct gaming by executing a gaming compact with the State of Texas. Its caption says it would also provide for occupational licensing under the compact and limit certain taxes and fees, according to the bill history. The subjects listed for the resolution include audits and auditors and mediation and dispute resolution.
Senate Joint Resolution 13 takes a different route. It would propose an amendment authorizing the tribe to conduct gaming on certain lands under state law, and it would also limit certain taxes and fees, according to its caption. The subjects listed for that resolution include video lottery and the Texas Secretary of State.
Both resolutions were filed and received by the Secretary of the Senate on Nov. 9, according to their bill histories. As of Tuesday morning, the full text of the two resolutions had not been posted online, so details such as which lands would be covered and what tax limits would apply were not yet public. The Maverick Times will update this story when the text is available.
Other Gaming Proposals Filed The Same Day
The Kickapoo resolutions were not the only gaming measures filed Monday. State Sen. Carol Alvarado filed Senate Joint Resolution 11 and State Rep. Charlie Geren filed House Joint Resolution 52. Both would propose amendments authorizing the Legislature to regulate and allow casino gaming and sports wagering, including a tax on that revenue and licensing for operators, according to the Texas Legislature Online bills by filing date report.
Voters Would Have The Final Say
A joint resolution proposing a constitutional amendment must pass the Texas House and Senate by a two-thirds vote of the members of each chamber, according to Article 17 of the Texas Constitution. If it passes, it goes to Texas voters in a statewide election. Joint resolutions do not need the governor’s signature.
The 90th Texas Legislature opens its regular session in January 2027. Monday was the first day lawmakers could prefile bills, and more than 1,200 bills and resolutions were filed that day, according to the filing report.
Other Gutierrez Filings
Gutierrez was the primary author of seven measures filed Monday, according to the filing report. Besides the two Kickapoo resolutions, they include Senate Bill 295 on the minimum wage, Senate Bill 296 on the siting and operation of data centers, Senate Bill 297 on one-time emergency household economic relief payments, Senate Bill 308 to ban 3D-printed firearms and their parts, and Senate Bill 309 to prohibit the use of credit scores in certain kinds of personal insurance.
Read more: Senfronia Thompson Says She Has The Votes To Become Texas House Speaker
Sources: SJR 12 bill history | SJR 13 bill history | Texas Legislature Online bills by filing date report for Nov. 9, 2026 | Texas Senate page for Sen. Roland Gutierrez | Texas Constitution Article 17
Photo: State Sen. Roland Gutierrez, from his official X account (@RolandForTexas).
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