H-668                _______________________________________________

 

                                                     HOUSE BILL NO. 98

                        _______________________________________________

 

State of Washington                              49th Legislature                              1985 Regular Session

 

By Representatives B. Williams, Grimm, Holland, Bristow and Van Luven

 

 

Read first time 1/18/85 and referred to Committee on Ways & Means.

 

 


AN ACT Relating to revolving funds; amending RCW 9.46.040, 9.46.060, 9.46.100, 67.70.020, 67.70.040, 67.70.050, and 67.70.230; creating new sections; repealing RCW 67.70.240 and 67.70.260; providing an effective date; and declaring an emergency.

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

 

        Sec. 1.  Section 4, chapter 218, Laws of 1973 1st ex. sess. as last amended by section 12, chapter 155, Laws of 1974 ex. sess. and RCW 9.46.040 are each amended to read as follows:

          There shall be a commission, known as the "Washington state gambling commission", consisting of five members appointed by the governor with the consent of the senate.  The members of the commission shall be appointed within thirty days of July 16, 1973 for terms beginning July 1, 1973, and expiring as follows:  One member of the commission for a term expiring July 1, 1975; one member of the commission for a term expiring July 1, 1976; one member of the commission for a term expiring July 1, 1977; one member of the commission for a term expiring July 1, 1978; and one member of the commission for a term expiring July 1, 1979; each as the governor so determines.  Their successors, all of whom shall be citizen members appointed by the governor with the consent of the senate, upon being appointed and qualified, shall serve six year terms:  PROVIDED, That no member of the commission who has served a full six year term shall be eligible for reappointment.  In case of a vacancy, it shall be filled by appointment by the governor for the unexpired portion of the term in which said vacancy occurs.  No vacancy in the membership of the commission shall impair the right of the remaining member or members to act, except as in RCW 9.46.050(2) provided.

          In addition to the members of the commission there shall be four ex officio members without vote from the legislature consisting of:  (1) Two members of the senate, one from the majority political party and one from the minority political party, both to be appointed by the president of the senate; (2) two members of the house of representatives, one from the majority political party and one from the minority political party, both to be appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives; such appointments shall be for the term of two years or for the period in which the appointee serves as a legislator, whichever expires first; members may be reappointed; vacancies shall be filled in the same manner as original appointments are made.  Such ex officio members who shall collect data deemed essential to future legislative proposals and exchange information with the board shall be deemed engaged in legislative business while in attendance upon the business of the board and shall be limited to such allowances therefor as otherwise provided in RCW 44.04.120, the same to be paid ((from the "gambling revolving fund" as being expenses relative to commission business)) by the gambling commission.

 

        Sec. 2.  Section 6, chapter 218, Laws of 1973 1st ex. sess. and RCW 9.46.060 are each amended to read as follows:

          (1) The attorney general shall be general counsel for the state gambling commission and shall assign such assistants as may be necessary in carrying out the purposes and provisions of this chapter, which shall include instituting and prosecuting any actions and proceedings necessary thereto.

          (2) The state auditor shall audit the books, records, and affairs of the commission annually.  The commission shall pay to the state treasurer for the credit of the state auditor such funds as may be necessary to defray the costs of such audits.  The commission may provide for additional audits by certified public accountants.  All such audits shall be public records of the state.

          The payment for legal services and audits as authorized in this section shall be paid ((upon authorization of the commission from moneys in the gambling revolving fund)) by the gambling commission.

 

        Sec. 3.  Section 10, chapter 218, Laws of 1973 1st ex. sess. as amended by section 5, chapter 326, Laws of 1977 ex. sess. and RCW 9.46.100 are each amended to read as follows:

          ((There is hereby created a fund to be known as the "gambling revolving fund" which shall consist of all moneys receivable for licensing, penalties, forfeitures, and all other moneys, income, or revenue received by the commission.  The state treasurer shall be custodian of the fund.))  All moneys received by the commission or any employee thereof((, except for change funds and an amount of petty cash as fixed by rule or regulation of the commission,)) shall be deposited ((each day in a depository approved by the state treasurer and transferred to the state treasurer to be credited to the gambling revolving fund.  Disbursements from the revolving fund shall be on authorization of the commission or a duly authorized representative thereof.  In order to maintain an effective expenditure and revenue control the gambling revolving fund shall be subject in all respects to chapter 43.88 RCW but no appropriation shall be required to permit expenditures and payment of obligations from such fund.  All expenses relative to commission business, including but not limited to salaries and expenses of the director and other commission employees shall be paid from the gambling revolving fund)) in the state general fund.

 

          NEW SECTION.  Sec. 4.     On the effective date of this act, all moneys in the gambling revolving fund established under RCW 9.46.100 shall be transferred to the state general fund.

 

        Sec. 5.  Section 2, chapter 7, Laws of 1982 2nd ex. sess. and RCW 67.70.020 are each amended to read as follows:

          The state gambling commission shall provide such services as are required by the state lottery commission to implement the provisions of this chapter.  However, the costs of such services shall be paid ((for from moneys placed within the revolving fund created by RCW 67.70.260)) by the state lottery commission.

 

        Sec. 6.  Section 4, chapter 7, Laws of 1982 2nd ex. sess. and RCW 67.70.040 are each amended to read as follows:

          The commission shall have the power, and it shall be its duty:

          (1) To promulgate such rules governing the establishment and operation of a state lottery as it deems necessary and desirable in order that such a lottery be initiated at the earliest feasible and practicable time, and in order that such lottery produce the maximum amount of net revenues for the state consonant with the dignity of the state and the general welfare of the people.  Such rules shall include, but shall not be limited to, the following:

          (a) The type of lottery to be conducted which may include the selling of tickets or shares, or the use of electronic or mechanical devices or video terminals which do not require a printed ticket;

          (b) The price, or prices, of tickets or shares in the lottery;

          (c) The numbers and sizes of the prizes on the winning tickets or shares;

          (d) The manner of selecting the winning tickets or shares;

          (e) The manner and time of payment of prizes to the holder of winning tickets or shares which, at the director's option, may be paid in lump sum amounts or installments over a period of years;

          (f) The frequency of the drawings or selections of winning tickets or shares, without limitation;

          (g) Without limit as to number, the type or types of locations at which tickets or shares may be sold;

          (h) The method to be used in selling tickets or shares, which may include the use of electronic or mechanical devices and video terminals;

          (i) The licensing of agents to sell or distribute tickets or shares, except that a person under the age of eighteen shall not be licensed as an agent;

          (j) The manner and amount of compensation, if any, to be paid licensed sales agents necessary to provide for the adequate availability of tickets or shares to prospective buyers and for the convenience of the public;

          (k) The apportionment of ((the total revenues accruing from the sale of lottery tickets or shares and from all other sources among:  (i) The payment of)) prizes to the holders of winning tickets or shares, which shall not be less than forty-five percent of the gross annual revenue from such lottery((, (ii) the payment of costs incurred in the operation and administration of the lottery, including the expenses of the lottery and the costs resulting from any contract or contracts entered into for promotional, advertising, or operational services or for the purchase or lease of lottery equipment and materials, but the payment of such costs shall not exceed fifteen percent of the gross annual revenue from such lottery, (iii) for the repayment of any moneys appropriated to the state lottery fund pursuant to sections 36 and 37, chapter 7, Laws of 1982 2nd ex. sess., and (iv) for transfer to the state's general fund:  PROVIDED, That no less than forty percent of the gross annual revenue from the sale of lottery tickets or shares shall be transferred to the state general fund));

          (l) Such other matters necessary or desirable for the efficient and economical operation and administration of the lottery and for the convenience of the purchasers of tickets or shares and the holders of winning tickets or shares.

          (2) To ensure that in each place authorized to sell lottery tickets or shares, on the back of the ticket or share, and in any advertising or promotion there shall be conspicuously displayed an estimate of the probability of purchasing a winning ticket.

          (3) To amend, repeal, or supplement any such rules from time to time as it deems necessary or desirable.

          (4) To advise and make recommendations to the director  for the operation and administration of the lottery.

 

        Sec. 7.  Section 5, chapter 7, Laws of 1982 2nd ex. sess. and RCW 67.70.050 are each amended to read as follows:

          There is created the office of director of the state lottery.  The director shall be appointed by the governor with the consent of the senate.  The director shall serve at the pleasure of the governor and shall receive such salary as is determined by the governor, but in no case may the director's salary be more than ninety percent of the salary of the governor.  The director shall:

          (1) Supervise and administer the operation of the lottery in accordance with the provisions of this chapter and with the rules of the commission.

          (2) Appoint such deputy and assistant directors as may be required to carry out the functions and duties of his office:  PROVIDED, That the provisions of the state civil service law, chapter 41.06 RCW, shall not apply to such deputy and assistant directors.

          (3) Appoint such professional, technical, and clerical assistants and employees as may be necessary to perform the duties imposed by this chapter:  PROVIDED, That the provisions of the state civil service law, chapter 41.06 RCW, shall not apply to such employees as are engaged in undercover audit or investigative work or security operations but shall apply to other employees appointed by the director, except as provided for in subsection (2) of this section.

          (4) In accordance with the provisions of this chapter and the rules of the commission, license as agents to sell or distribute lottery tickets such persons as in his opinion will best serve the public convenience and promote the sale of tickets or shares.  The director may require a bond from every licensed agent, in such amount as provided in the rules of the commission.  Every licensed agent shall prominently display his license, or a copy thereof, as provided in the rules of the commission.  License fees may be established by the commission, and, if established, shall be deposited in the ((revolving)) state general fund ((created by RCW 67.70.260)).

          (5) Confer regularly as necessary or desirable with the commission on the operation and administration of the lottery; make available for inspection by the commission, upon request, all books, records, files, and other information and documents of the lottery; and advise the commission and recommend such matters as he deems necessary and advisable to improve the operation and administration of the lottery.

          (6) Subject to the applicable laws relating to public contracts, enter into contracts for the operation of the lottery, or any part thereof, and into contracts for the promotion of the lottery.  No contract awarded or entered into by the director may be assigned by the holder thereof except by specific approval of the commission:  PROVIDED, That nothing in this chapter authorizes the director to enter into public contracts for the regular and permanent administration of the lottery after the initial development and implementation.

          (7) Certify quarterly to the state treasurer, the legislative budget committee, and the commission a full and complete statement of lottery revenues, prize disbursements, and other expenses for the preceding quarter.

          (8) Publish quarterly reports showing the total lottery revenues, prize disbursements, and other expenses for the preceding quarter, and make an annual report, which shall include a full and complete statement of lottery revenues, prize disbursements, and other expenses, to the governor and the legislature, and including such recommendations for changes in this chapter as the director deems necessary or desirable.

          (9) Report immediately to the governor and the legislature any matters which require immediate changes in the laws of this state in order to prevent abuses and evasions of this chapter or rules promulgated thereunder or to rectify undesirable conditions in connection with the administration or operation of  the lottery.

          (10) Carry on a continuous study and investigation of the lottery throughout the state:  (a) For the purpose of ascertaining any defects in this chapter or in the rules issued thereunder by reason whereof any abuses in the administration and operation of the lottery or any evasion of this chapter or the rules may arise or be practiced, (b) for the purpose of formulating recommendations for changes in this chapter and the rules promulgated thereunder to prevent such abuses and evasions, (c) to guard against the use of this chapter and the rules  issued thereunder as  a cloak for the carrying on of professional gambling and crime, and (d) to insure that this chapter  and rules shall be in such form and be so administered as to serve the true purposes of this chapter.

          (11) Make a continuous study and investigation of:  (a) The operation and the administration of similar laws which may be in effect in other states or countries, (b) any literature on the subject which from time to time may be published or available, (c) any  federal laws which may affect the operation of the lottery, and (d) the reaction of the citizens of this state to existing and potential features of the lottery with a view to recommending or effecting changes that  will tend to serve the purposes of this chapter.

          (12) Have all enforcement powers granted in chapter 9.46 RCW.

          (13) Perform all other matters and things necessary to carry out the purposes and provisions of this chapter.

 

        Sec. 8.  Section 23, chapter 7, Laws of 1982 2nd ex. sess. and RCW 67.70.230 are each amended to read as follows:

          ((There is hereby created and established a separate fund, to be known as the state lottery fund.  Such fund shall be managed, maintained, and controlled by the commission and shall consist of)) All revenues received from the sale of lottery tickets or shares((,)) and all other moneys ((credited or transferred thereto from any other fund or source pursuant to law.  The fund shall be a separate fund outside the state treasury.  No appropriation is required to permit expenditures and payment of obligations from the fund)) received by the commission shall be deposited in the state general fund.

 

          NEW SECTION.  Sec. 9.  The following acts or parts of acts are each repealed:

                   (1) Section 24, chapter 7, Laws of 1982 2nd ex. sess. and RCW 67.70.240; and

          (2) Section 26, chapter 7, Laws of 1982 2nd ex. sess. and RCW 67.70.260.

 

          NEW SECTION.  Sec. 10.    On the effective date of this act, all moneys in the revolving fund established under RCW 67.70.260 and the state lottery fund established under RCW 67.70.230 shall be transferred to the state general fund.

 

          NEW SECTION.  Sec. 11.    If any provision of this act or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the act or the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances is not affected.

 

          NEW SECTION.  Sec. 12.    This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, and safety, the support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and shall take effect July 1, 1985.