SENATE BILL REPORT

                   SB 5330

              As Passed Senate, February 28, 1997

Title:  An act relating to golfing sweepstakes.

Brief Description:  Allowing another type of golfing sweepstakes.

Sponsors:  Senators Sellar, Snyder and McCaslin.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Commerce & Labor:  2/4/97, 2/11/97 [DP].

Passed Senate, 2/28/97, 34-13.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE & LABOR

Majority Report:  Do pass.

  Signed by Senators Schow, Chair; Horn, Vice Chair; Franklin, Fraser and Newhouse.

Staff:  Traci Ratzliff (786-7452)

Background:  Under current law, bona fide charitable or nonprofit organizations are permitted to conduct golfing sweepstakes involving the wagering of money only when the outcome of the sweepstakes depends on the scores or playing abilities of individuals or teams of individuals. Only members of the sponsoring organization may participate in such events, which must be conducted in a manner specified under current law.

The auctioning of players or teams of players in a golfing contest, with the person placing the highest bid on the winning player or team receiving the proceeds from the auction, is prohibited under current law.

Summary of Bill:  The auctioning of players or teams of players in a golfing contest, with the person placing the highest bid on the winning player or team receiving the proceeds from the auction, is an authorized method for conducting a golfing sweepstakes.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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

Testimony For:  Golfing Sweepstakes are currently allowed in this state, but only two methods can be utilized in conducting these events.  These two methods are not heavily utilized because they are confusing and cumbersome.  This bill will provide a better understood and more common method, the auction method, of conducting a golfing sweepstakes.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  PRO:  Stu Halsan, Washington State Federation of Clubs; Steve Hall, Broadmoor Golf Club; Jack Kirkpatrick, Sandpoint Country Club; Richard Ernst, Glendale Country Club; Richard Spurlin, Kitsap Golf & Country Club.