Washington State

House of Representatives

Office of Program Research

BILL

ANALYSIS

Commerce & Labor Committee

HB 1070

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.

Brief Summary of Bill

Directs the Lottery Commission to create two to four new scratch tickets each year to benefit veterans and their families.
Provides for the net revenues from the lottery games to be deposited into the Veterans Innovations Program Account.

Background:

Lottery. The Washington Lottery was established in 1982. Lottery revenues are used for the following purposes in addition to prizes and administrative expenses. (The figures are amounts distributed in FY 2008.)

Education construction - $102 million;
Stadium bonds - $13.3 million;
Problem gambling education - $0.3 million;
Economic development - $3.7 million; and
General Fund - $11.1 million.

Veterans Innovations Program. In 2006 the Legislature established the Veterans Innovations Program (VIP) within the Department of Veterans Affairs (Department). The purpose of the VIP is to provide crisis and emergency relief; and education, training, and employment assistance to veterans and their families. The VIP terminates on June 30, 2016.

Two separate programs were created within the VIP: the Defenders' Fund Program and the Competitive Grant Program. The Defenders' Fund Program allows recent veterans to receive a one-time financial hardship grant of no more than $500 ($1,000 in 2007-09) related to employment, education, housing, and health care. The Competitive Grant Program provides crisis and emergency relief; and education, training, and employment assistance.

At least four states have created veteran lottery games.

Summary of Bill:

The Lottery Commission (Commission) is directed to conduct at least two, but not more than four, new scratch games each year to benefit veterans and their families. The Commission must develop and promote the games as veteran lottery games.

All revenues received from the sale of the games, less amounts paid out in prizes and actual administrative expenses related to the veteran lottery games, must be deposited into the Veterans Innovations Program Account for purposes of serving veterans and their families.

Rules Authority: The bill does not address the rule-making powers of an agency.