PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
Subject of Possible Rule Making: Bingo operators.
Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 9.46.070.
Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: Under state law, bingo operators are required to contribute a portion of their gambling proceeds to support their stated purpose, the minimum requirements to be contributed are set forth in gambling rules. Current rules allow for bingo operators that don't meet the minimum requirements to petition the commission for a variance from these requirements and allow time to come back into compliance. There has been much debate over this rule and at the January 2003, commission meeting, the commission requested that this rule be brought forward for discussion and that the variance and petition portion of the rule be repealed.
Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: None.
Process for Developing New Rule: Negotiated rule making.
Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Rick Day, Deputy Director, P.O. Box 42400, Olympia, WA 98504-2400, (360) 486-3446; Ed Fleisher, Deputy Director, P.O. Box 42400, Olympia, WA 98504-2400, (360) 486-3449; or Susan Arland, Rules Coordinator, P.O. Box 42400, Olympia, WA 98504-2400, (360) 486-3466.
Meeting Dates and Locations: Best Western Aladdin Motor Inn, 900 South Capitol Way, Olympia, WA 98501, (360) 352-7200, on February 13 and 14, 2003 and March 13 and 14, 2003; and at the Hampton Inn/Foxhall, 3985 Bennett Drive, Bellingham, WA 98225, (360) 676-7700, on April 10 and 11, 2003.
January 15, 2003
Susan Arland
Rules Coordinator