HOUSE BILL REPORT
HB 3220
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in
their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a
statement of legislative intent.
As Passed House:
February 13, 2008
Title: An act relating to allowing counties, cities, and towns to conduct raffles under certain terms and conditions.
Brief Description: Allowing counties, cities, and towns to conduct raffles under certain terms and conditions.
Sponsors: By Representative Condotta.
Brief History:
Commerce & Labor: 2/1/08, 2/4/08 [DP].
Floor Activity:
Passed House: 2/13/08, 95-0.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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HOUSE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE & LABOR
Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 8 members: Representatives Conway, Chair; Wood, Vice Chair; Condotta, Ranking Minority Member; Chandler, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Crouse, Green, Moeller and Williams.
Staff: Joan Elgee (786-7106).
Background:
Washington's Gambling Act authorizes charitable and nonprofit organizations to conduct
raffles to raise funds for the organizations' stated purposes. The organization must be
organized for one of the purposes specified in statute which include agricultural, charitable,
educational, political, fraternal, or athletic purposes, and meet other requirements.
A raffle may be conducted as a licensed or unlicensed raffle. A license is required if: (1) the
gross revenue from all gambling fundraising conducted by the organization is more than
$5,000 per year; (2) tickets are sold by someone other than a member of the organization; (3)
tickets are sold at a discount; and (4) in certain other cases. All raffles must meet certain
requirements, including maintenance of records.
Credit unions and a group of executive branch state employees are considered nonprofit
organizations and may conduct unlicensed raffles under certain conditions.
Summary of Bill:
A county, city, or town is considered a nonprofit organization for purposes of organizations
authorized to conduct raffles and may conduct licensed or unlicensed raffles so long as the
revenue, less prizes and expenses, is used for community activities or tourism promotion
activities.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony:
(In support) East Wenatchee puts on two events a year - the Classy Chassis Show and the
Wings and Wheels Festival. These events used to be funded out of the hotel/motel tax but
the nonprofit events board running the shows was found ineligible. The city tried a raffle but
was told a raffle was not permitted.
(Neutral) The Washington State Gambling Commission (Commission) will likely be neutral.
Commission staff have heard from a couple of small cities that wanted to do raffles. One
aspect to consider is that local jurisdictions would not be permitted to pay their employees if
they wanted to do unlicensed raffles.
(Opposed) None.
Persons Testifying: (In support) Representative Condotta, prime sponsor.
(Neutral) Amy B. Hunter, Washington State Gambling Commission.