SENATE BILL REPORT

                           EHCR 4403

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON LABOR & COMMERCE, MARCH 24, 1993

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

SPONSORS: 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

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended. 

     Signed by Senators Moore, Chairman; Prentice, Vice Chairman; Amondson, Barr, Cantu, Fraser, McAuliffe, Newhouse, Pelz, Prince, and Sutherland.

Staff:  Traci Ratzliff (786‑7452)

Hearing Dates: March 23, 1993; March 24, 1993

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; and (3) the need for defining a clear public policy on gambling.

The task force consists of 13 members, 10 of whom are voting members.  The voting members include 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 are representatives of the Washington State Gambling Commission, the Washington State Horse Racing Commission, and the Washington State Lottery Commission.  The task force appoints 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 uses legislative staff and facilities and expenses are paid jointly by the Senate and the House of Representatives.

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

SUMMARY OF PROPOSED SENATE AMENDMENT:

The task force is directed to examine the feasibility of merging the Gambling Commission, Lottery Commission and Horse Racing Commission into one state agency.

The Governor, or his designee, is added to the voting membership of the task force.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  none requested

TESTIMONY FOR:  None

TESTIMONY AGAINST:  None

TESTIFIED:  No one