BILL REQ. #:  S-1495.1 

Read first time 02/15/11.   Referred to Committee on Labor, Commerce & Consumer Protection.

     AN ACT Relating to a veteran lottery raffle; amending RCW 67.70.240; adding a new section to chapter 67.70 RCW; and creating a new section.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   In recognition of the extraordinary sacrifices made by the men and women serving in the United States armed forces, including Washington state's national guard and reserves, the legislature intends to authorize an ongoing source of funding to preserve the veterans innovations program. This important program provides assistance to military members and their families who face extreme financial hardships due to extended deployments.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   A new section is added to chapter 67.70 RCW to read as follows:
     Beginning in calendar year 2011, and on an annual basis thereafter, the lottery will offer a statewide raffle to benefit veterans and their families. The veterans raffle ticket will go on sale on Labor Day with a drawing to occur on Veteran's Day, November 11th of each year.

Sec. 3   RCW 67.70.240 and 2010 1st sp.s. c 27 s 3 are each amended to read as follows:
     The moneys in the state lottery account shall be used only:
     (1) For the payment of prizes to the holders of winning lottery tickets or shares;
     (2) For purposes of making deposits into the reserve account created by RCW 67.70.250 and into the lottery administrative account created by RCW 67.70.260;
     (3) For purposes of making deposits into the education construction fund created in RCW 43.135.045 and the Washington opportunity pathways account created in RCW 28B.76.526. On and after July 1, 2010, all deposits not otherwise obligated under this section shall be placed in the Washington opportunity pathways account. Moneys in the state lottery account deposited in the Washington opportunity pathways account are included in "general state revenues" under RCW 39.42.070;
     (4) For distribution to a county for the purpose of paying the principal and interest payments on bonds issued by the county to construct a baseball stadium, as defined in RCW 82.14.0485, including reasonably necessary preconstruction costs. Three million dollars shall be distributed under this subsection during calendar year 1996. During subsequent years, such distributions shall equal the prior year's distributions increased by four percent. Distributions under this subsection shall cease when the bonds issued for the construction of the baseball stadium are retired, but not more than twenty years after the tax under RCW 82.14.0485 is first imposed;
     (5) For distribution to the stadium and exhibition center account, created in RCW 43.99N.060. Subject to the conditions of RCW 43.99N.070, six million dollars shall be distributed under this subsection during the calendar year 1998. During subsequent years, such distribution shall equal the prior year's distributions increased by four percent. No distribution may be made under this subsection after December 31, 1999, unless the conditions for issuance of the bonds under RCW 43.99N.020(2) are met. Distributions under this subsection shall cease when the bonds are retired, but not later than December 31, 2020;
     (6) For transfer to the veterans innovations program account. The net revenues received from the sale of the annual Veteran's Day lottery raffle conducted under section 2 of this act must be deposited into the veterans innovations program account created in RCW 43.60A.185 for purposes of serving veterans and their families. For purposes under this subsection, "net revenues" means all revenues received from the sale of veteran lottery raffle tickets less the sum of the amount paid out in prizes and the actual administration expenses of the lottery solely related to the veteran lottery raffle.
     (7) For the purchase and promotion of lottery games and game-related services; and
     (((7))) (8) For the payment of agent compensation.
     The office of financial management shall require the allotment of all expenses paid from the account and shall report to the ways and means committees of the senate and house of representatives any changes in the allotments.