HOUSE BILL REPORT

SHB 2053

BYHouse Committee on Ways & Means (originally sponsored by Representative Grimm)

Providing for the transfer of money from the state lottery account to the general fund.

House Committe on Ways & Means

Majority Report:  The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass.  (29)

      Signed by Representatives Grimm, Chair; Bristow, Vice Chair; Appelwick, Basich, Belcher, Braddock, Brekke, Brough, Butterfield, Dellwo, Ebersole, Fuhrman, Grant, Hine, Holland, Locke, McLean, Nealey, Peery, Rust, Sayan, Schoon, H. Sommers, Spanel, Sprenkle, Valle, Wang, B. Williams and Winsley.

House Staff:Susan Kavanaugh (786-7136)

AS PASSED HOUSE FEBRUARY 29, 1988

BACKGROUND:

Unclaimed prizes from state lottery games are retained in the state lottery account for the person entitled to the prize for 180 days after the drawing in which the prize is won, or after the end of the game for instant prizes.  If no claim is made for it within this time, the prize is retained by the Lottery Commission for further use as prizes in future games.  Unclaimed prizes are presently estimated to total approximately $2.5 million per year.  The amount will vary depending on the number of games, type of games, and other factors affecting lottery winnings.

SUMMARY:

Fifty percent of unclaimed prizes, in an amount not to exceed $1 million in any fiscal year, is deposited quarterly in the general fund.  The remaining money from unclaimed prizes is retained in the state lottery account for further use as prizes.  Deletes outdated language in the Lottery Commission enabling statutes.

Fiscal Note:      Not Requested.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    None Presented.

House Committee - Testified Against:      None Presented.

House Committee - Testimony For:    None Presented.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      None Presented.