SENATE BILL REPORT

                  ESB 5269

                As Passed Senate, March 8, 1995

Title:  An act relating to raffle tickets.

Brief Description:  Raising the maximum cost for raffle tickets to ten dollars.

Sponsors:  Senators Rasmussen, Pelz, Heavey, Winsley, Franklin, Oke and Deccio.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Labor, Commerce & Trade:  2/6/95, 2/14/95 [DP].

Passed Senate, 3/8/95, 43-5.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON LABOR, COMMERCE & TRADE

Majority Report:  Do pass.

  Signed by Senators Pelz, Chair; Heavey, Vice Chair; Deccio, Franklin, Fraser, Hale, Palmer and Wojahn.

Staff:  Max Williams (786-7439)

Background:  Charitable or nonprofit organizations can conduct raffle games and sell individual raffle tickets for no more than $5 each.  Funds generated from raffle ticket sales are used to fund the programs and operations of the charitable and nonprofit organizations.

Summary of Bill:  The limit on individual raffle ticket prices is increased from $5 to $25.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Requested on January 31, 1995.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  Raising the maximum ticket price would allow nonprofit organizations to raise more money for the programs they fund and operate.  The raffles are regulated and audited, and raising this limit would not compromise the integrity of the raffle.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  PRO:  Senator Rasmussen, prime sponsor; Rance Block, Rocky Mtn. Elk Foundation; James Williams, Frank Miller, WA Gambling Commission.

House Amendment(s):  Raffle tickets may be sold in an amount greater than $25 but not exceeding $100 when authorized by the Gambling Commission.