HOUSE BILL REPORT

ESSB 6108

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

As Reported by House Committee On:

Ways & Means

Title: An act relating to allowing the state lottery commission to enter into an agreement to conduct an additional shared lottery game.

Brief Description: Allowing the state lottery commission to enter into an agreement to conduct an additional shared lottery game.

Sponsors: Senate Committee on Ways & Means (originally sponsored by Senators Prentice, Holmquist and Kohl-Welles).

Brief History:

Committee Activity:

Ways & Means: 4/18/09 [DP].

Brief Summary of Engrossed Substitute Bill

  • Authorizes the state lottery to conduct "Powerball."

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON WAYS & MEANS

Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 14 members: Representatives Linville, Chair; Ericks, Vice Chair; Cody, Conway, Darneille, Haigh, Hunt, Hunter, Kagi, Kenney, Kessler, Pettigrew, Seaquist and Sullivan.

Minority Report: Do not pass. Signed by 8 members: Representatives Alexander, Ranking Minority Member; Bailey, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Dammeier, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Chandler, Hinkle, Priest, Ross and Schmick.

Staff: Serah Stetson (786-7109)

Background:

The Washington lottery was established in 1982. The Washington State Lottery Commission (Commission) has authority to determine the type of lottery to be conducted, the manner of selecting the winning tickets or shares, and the method to be used in selling tickets or shares. However, legislative approval is required before the Commission may enter any agreement with other state lotteries for shared games.

In 2002 the Legislature authorized the Commission to participate in the shared game known as "The Big Game" and now called "Mega Millions." The Mega Millions game is offered in 12 states. Another shared game, Powerball, is offered by 30 states, the District of Columbia, and the Virgin Islands.

Lottery revenues, after payment of prizes and administrative expenses, are used for education construction, paying off stadium bonds, problem gambling services, economic development, and the General Fund. When the Legislature authorized participation in Mega Millions, it created a Shared Game Lottery Account for receipt of revenues from the shared game lottery. After transfers for problem gambling services, shared game lottery revenues are transferred to the Education Construction Account to bring the total revenue from both in-state and out-of-state lottery games in the Education Construction Account up to $102 million. Any amounts remaining in the Shared Game Lottery Account after the transfers to the Education Construction Account are deposited into the General Fund.

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Summary of Bill:

The Commission is authorized to enter into an agreement for a second multi-state lottery game known as "Powerball."

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Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

(In support) As amended by the Senate, this is a replica of House Bill 2300. This bill adds authority to conduct a new version to a type of game that is already in practice by the Washington lottery.

(Opposed) None.

Persons Testifying: Arlen Harris, Washington State Lottery Commission.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.