H-2141.1  _______________________________________________

                    SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL 2163

          _______________________________________________

State of Washington      56th Legislature     1999 Regular Session

By House Committee on Commerce & Labor (originally sponsored by Representatives Wood, Conway, Clements, McIntire and Veloria)

Read first time 03/02/1999.

Creating a joint select committee to study issues relating to compulsive gambling.

    AN ACT Relating to creating a program for compulsive gambling education and awareness; creating a new section; and providing an expiration date.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.  (1) A joint select committee on problem gambling is established.  The joint select committee shall consist of eight members, as follows:

    (a) Two members from each of the two largest caucuses of the senate, appointed by the president of the senate, who are members of the senate commerce, trade, housing and financial institutions committee;

    (b) Two members from each of the two largest caucuses of the house of representatives, appointed by the co-speakers of the house of representatives, who are members of the house commerce and labor committee;

    (c) In addition, the following agencies shall cooperate with the joint select committee and maintain a liaison with the committee:  The Washington state gambling commission, the Washington state lottery commission, the Washington state horse racing commission, the department of social and health services, and the department of health.  The committee shall choose its co-chairs from among its legislative membership.

    (2) The committee shall review the following issues:

    (a) The need to develop policies and programs to address problem and pathological gambling and the response of the gambling industry to the demonstrated need;

    (b) The need for public awareness programs about problem and pathological gambling, including programs targeting youth, and the effectiveness of current programs;

    (c) The level of service provided to gamblers and their families through the help line and the best method of providing help line services;

    (d) The availability of instate treatment services for problem and pathological gamblers and their families; and

    (e) The appropriate level of public involvement in treatment services including public funding.

    (3) The committee may consult with individuals from the gambling industry, nonprofit organizations with expertise in problem gambling issues, community mental health organizations, tribal governments involved in gaming, and law enforcement agencies.

    (4) The committee shall use legislative facilities and staff from senate committee services and the office of program research, but may hire additional staff with specific technical expertise if such expertise is necessary to carry out the mandates of this study.  All expenses of the committee, including travel, shall be paid jointly by the senate and the house of representatives.

    (5) The committee shall report its findings and recommendations to the legislature by December 1, 1999.

    (6) This section expires July 1, 2000.

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