BILL REQ. #:  H-4717.1 

READ FIRST TIME 01/31/06.   

     AN ACT Relating to raffles conducted by state employees; adding a new section to chapter 9.46 RCW; and adding a new section to chapter 42.52 RCW.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   A new section is added to chapter 9.46 RCW to read as follows:
     A raffle conducted by employees of a state agency, as "agency" is defined in RCW 42.52.010, does not constitute any form of gambling or a lottery subject to this chapter or rules adopted under this chapter when conducted as follows:
     (1) Gross revenues from such a raffle do not exceed three thousand dollars;
     (2) Tickets to such a raffle are sold only to, and winners are determined only from among, the employees of the agency; and
     (3) All revenue less prizes and expenses received from such a raffle are devoted to purposes authorized under section 2 of this act for charitable and nonprofit organizations.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   A new section is added to chapter 42.52 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) When soliciting gifts, grants, or donations solely to support the charitable activities of state employees conducted pursuant to section 1 of this act, the state officers and state employees are presumed not to be in violation of the solicitation and receipt of gift provisions in RCW 42.52.140.
     (2) For purposes of this section, activities are deemed to be charitable if the activities are devoted to the purposes authorized under RCW 9.46.0209 for charitable and nonprofit organizations listed in that section, or are in support of the activities of those charitable or nonprofit organizations.