HOUSE BILL REPORT
HB 1218
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 Legislature
Title: An act relating to the temporary issuance, summary suspension, and renewal of licenses by the gambling commission.
Brief Description: Modifying gambling commission powers and duties to temporarily issue, suspend, and renew licenses.
Sponsors: By Representatives Conway, Wood, Condotta, Kenney and Moeller; by request of Gambling Commission.
Brief History:
Commerce & Labor: 1/25/07, 1/26/07 [DP].
Floor Activity:
Passed House: 2/23/07, 90-4.
Passed Senate: 4/11/07, 48-0.
Passed Legislature.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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HOUSE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE & LABOR
Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 7 members: Representatives Conway, Chair; Wood, Vice Chair; Condotta, Ranking Minority Member; Chandler, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Green, Moeller and Williams.
Staff: Joan Elgee (786-7106).
Background:
The Gambling Commission (Commission) issues licenses for charitable/nonprofit
organizations and commercial entities to conduct gambling activities. The Commission also
licenses manufacturers and distributors of gambling devices and their representatives,
amusement game operators, and employees of gambling entities, such as card room
employees.
The Commission employs a full time director (Director) who is the administrator for the
Commission. For charitable/nonprofit and commercial licenses, the Commission may
authorize the Director to temporarily issue and suspend licenses subject to final action by the
Commission. The Director does not have this authority for the other types of licenses.
Gambling licenses are good for one year. Licensees who do not timely renew their licenses
must submit a new application.
Summary of Bill:
The authority of the Commission to give the Director authority to issue temporary licenses
and suspend licenses, subject to final action by the Commission, is extended to licenses for
amusement game operators, manufacturers and distributors of gambling devices and their
representatives, and employees of gambling entities. The effect is that the Commission may
give the Director temporary license and license suspension authority for all licenses the
Commission issues.
A grace period for license renewal is created for military personnel. A licensee has six
months after being honorably discharged, removed, or released from active military service to
renew his or her license.
Rules Authority: The bill does not address the rule-making powers of an agency.
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) The Gambling Commission licenses over 17,000 individuals, so having the
Director be able to issue temporary licenses and suspend licenses will be very useful. These
are the same powers that the Liquor Control Board and the Lottery Commission have.
(Opposed) None.
Persons Testifying: (In support) Amy Hunter, Washington State Gambling Commission.