SENATE BILL REPORT

                            SB 5241

               AS PASSED SENATE, MARCH 16, 1993

Brief Description:  Making certain powers and duties of the gambling commission permissive.

SPONSORS: Senators Vognild, Newhouse, Moore and Prince

SENATE COMMITTEE ON LABOR & COMMERCE

Majority Report:  Do pass. 

     Signed by Senators Moore, Chairman; Amondson, Barr, Fraser, McAuliffe, Newhouse, Pelz, and Vognild.

Staff:  Traci Ratzliff (786‑7452)

Hearing Dates: February 15, 1993; February 23, 1993

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE & LABOR

BACKGROUND:

The Gambling Commission is authorized to regulate and establish maximum limitations on the income derived from bingo.  In addition, the commission may establish and regulate maximum limits on the salaries or wages that may be paid to persons employed in connection with gambling activities conducted by bona fide charitable or nonprofit organizations and establish maximum limits for expenses incurred in connection with gambling activities conducted by charitable and nonprofit organizations.

Questions have been raised regarding whether the Gambling Commission's authority in these areas is mandatory or permissive. 

SUMMARY:

The Gambling Commission's authority to establish maximum limits on:  income derived from bingo; the compensation paid to persons employed in connection with gambling activities conducted by bona fide charitable or nonprofit organizations; and expenses incurred in connection with authorized gambling activities conducted by bona fide charitable and nonprofit organizations is deemed permissive and not mandatory.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  none requested

TESTIMONY FOR:

This bill is unnecessary because the Gambling Commission annually reviews the income earned by bingo operators and the yearly income and expenses of nonprofit and charitable organizations operating gambling activities to make sure they are appropriate.  However, one member of the Gambling Commission has continuously raised the question of whether the commission's authority in this area is mandatory or permissive and whether strict limits should be established in rule.  This question needs to be resolved so that the commission can continue to carry out its current workable policy without dispute.

TESTIMONY AGAINST:  None

TESTIFIED:  PRO:  Bill Fritz, John Beadle, Washington Civic and Charitable Gaming Assn.

HOUSE AMENDMENT(S):

Technical amendment only.