SENATE BILL REPORT

HB 1273

As of March 11, 2009

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: Representatives Condotta and Armstrong.

Brief History: Passed House: 2/23/09, 97-0.

Committee Activity: Labor, Commerce & Consumer Protection:

Staff: Kathleen Buchli (786-7488)

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.

Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.

Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.