H-4267.1  _______________________________________________

                          HOUSE BILL 3064

          _______________________________________________

State of Washington      56th Legislature     2000 Regular Session

By Representatives Conway and Clements

Read first time 01/26/2000.  Referred to Committee on Commerce & Labor.

Modifying zoning and licensing of gambling activities.

    AN ACT Relating to zoning and licensing of gambling activities; amending RCW 9.46.295; and adding new sections to chapter 9.46 RCW.

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

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.  A new section is added to chapter 9.46 RCW to read as follows:

    (1) The commission shall establish a process for early notification and early public participation in the licensing process for an applicant seeking a license to conduct house-banked card games.  This process shall include at least one public meeting in the area affected and shall provide for submission of written and oral comments.

    (2) Notification that a license application has been filed with the commission shall be provided to the following:

    (a) All newspapers of general circulation in the local area and all local radio stations, television stations, and cable networks;

    (b) The legislative authority of the local jurisdictions, the local law enforcement agencies, and any other local agency or organization that requests such notification from the commission; and

    (c) All residents and businesses within a one-half mile radius of the proposed card room location.

    (3) The commission may issue a license to an applicant seeking to conduct house-banked card games only after finding that issuing the license will have no significant detrimental effect on the health, safety, and welfare of the surrounding neighborhood in which the card room is or will be located.  This finding shall be part of the record approving the license.  In making the finding, the commission may conduct public hearings as necessary.

    (4) If requested by the commission, the applicant shall meet with neighboring residents, organizations, and public agencies regarding any reasonable concerns they may have on the impact of the gambling activity on the neighboring area.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2.  A new section is added to chapter 9.46 RCW to read as follows:

    Any city, town, city-county, or county may exercise all land use and zoning powers granted or recognized under state law including the power to adopt moratoria and interim zoning controls under chapters 36.70A and 90.58 RCW with respect to gambling activity licensed by the commission under this chapter.

    Sec. 3.  RCW 9.46.295 and 1974 ex.s. c 155 s 6 are each amended to read as follows:

    Any license to engage in any of the gambling activities authorized by this chapter ((as now exists or as hereafter amended)), and issued under the authority thereof shall be legal authority to engage in the gambling activities for which issued throughout the incorporated and unincorporated area of any county, except that a city located therein with respect to that city, or a county with respect to all areas within that county except for such cities, may absolutely prohibit or exercise its land use and zoning powers in accordance with section 2 of this act, but may not change the scope of license, any or all of the gambling activities for which the license was issued.

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