1667 AMS PREN S5148.2

HB 1667 - S AMD 765

By Senator Prentice

Strike everything after the enacting clause and insert the following:

"Sec. 1. RCW 9.46.285 and 1973 2nd ex.s. c 41 s 8 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) This chapter constitutes the exclusive legislative authority for the licensing and regulation of any gambling activity and the state preempts such licensing and regulatory functions, except as to the powers and duties of any city, town, city-county, or county which are specifically set forth or acknowledged in this chapter. Any ordinance, resolution, or other legislative act by any city, town, city-county, or county relating to gambling in existence on September 27, 1973 shall be as of that date null and void and of no effect. Any such city, town, city-county, or county may thereafter enact only such local law as is consistent with the powers and duties expressly granted to and imposed upon it by chapter 9.46 RCW and which is not in conflict with that chapter or with the rules of the commission.

(2) Nothing in this chapter limits the authority of a city, town, city-county, or county to enact and enforce an ordinance, resolution, or other legislative act that:

(a) Applies without regard to whether an affected entity is required to possess, or is not required to possess, a license under this chapter; or

(b) Prohibits a facility operating under a license issued under this chapter from locating within five hundred feet of (i) any church; (ii) any tax-supported public elementary or secondary school or any private school meeting the requirements for private schools under Title 28A RCW; or (iii) any public institution, including but not limited to a park, library, courthouse, police station, fire station, jail, and places owned or leased by the local jurisdiction for the jurisdiction's employees, elected officials, and public meetings.

(3) For the purposes of this section, (a) the distance of five hundred feet is measured in a straight line from the outer property line of the grounds of the church, school, or public institution to the nearest property line of the property proposed for a facility operating under a license issued under this chapter; and (b) church means a building erected for and used exclusively for religious worship and schooling or other activity in connection therewith."

HB 1667 - S AMD 765

By Senator Prentice

On page 1, line 2 of the title, after "activities;" strike the remainder of the title and insert "and amending RCW 9.46.285."

EFFECT: Clarifies that local jurisdictions can apply general regulations and zoning ordinances to entities that engage in gambling activities licensed by the Gambling Commission, and may also prohibit gambling activities from locating within five hundred feet of any church, public or private school, or public institution.

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