FINAL BILL REPORT

                 EHCR 4403

                    As Passed Legislature

Brief Description:  Advocating the creation of a task force to study issues on gambling.

By Representatives Heavey, Veloria, Long, Shin, Forner, Schmidt, R. Meyers, Johanson, Leonard, Chandler, Lisk, Pruitt, Ballasiotes and Morris.

House Committee on Commerce & Labor

Senate Committee on Labor & Commerce

Background:  In recent years, the level of legalized wagering in Washington and across the nation has increased significantly.  Gross receipts from legal gaming have nearly doubled since 1985.  In addition, with the passage of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, tribal gaming has expanded into casino style games.  Under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, the state is required to negotiate in good faith with any tribe wishing to conduct gambling activities that are not prohibited by the public policy of the state as reflected in its criminal laws and constitution.  These and other factors have focused attention on the state's public policy regarding gambling.

Summary:  The State Gambling Policy Task Force is established to examine:  (1)  The current nature and scope of authorized gambling in the state; (2) the future of gambling in the state; (3) the need for defining a clear public policy on gambling; and (4) the feasibility of merging the Gambling Commission, Lottery Commission, and Horse Racing Commission into one state agency.

The task force will be made up of 14 members, 11 of whom will be voting members.  The voting members will include the governor or the governor's designee; three members from the majority caucus and two members from the minority caucus of the Senate, appointed by the President of the Senate; and three members from the majority caucus and two members from the minority caucus of the House of Representatives, appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives.  The three nonvoting members will be representatives of the Washington State Gambling Commission, the Washington State Horse Racing Commission, and the Washington State Lottery Commission.  The task force will appoint a chair and vice chair from among its membership.

The task force may consult with individuals from the public or private sector or ask them to establish an advisory committee.  The task force is to use legislative staff and facilities; and its expenses will be paid jointly by the Senate and the House of Representatives.

The task force is required to submit a report summarizing its findings and recommendations to the Legislature by January 1, 1994.

Votes on Final Passage:

House  95 0

Senate 38 10 (Senate amended)

House            (House adopted)