HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 2918

As Reported by House Committee On:

Commerce & Labor

Title:  An act relating to authorizing bona fide charitable and nonprofit organizations to conduct bingo.

Brief Description:  Authorizing certain organizations to conduct bingo.

Sponsors:  Representative Wood.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:

Commerce & Labor:  2/7/02 [DP].

Brief Summary of Bill

$Removes the three-time per week limit on bingo games at a single location.

$Permits non-profit bingo operators to share facilities at one location.

$Restricts the issuance of any new bingo licenses until July 1, 2007.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE & LABOR

Majority Report:  Do pass. Signed by 6 members: Representatives Conway, Chair; Wood, Vice Chair; Clements, Ranking Minority Member; Chandler, Kenney and Lysen.

Staff:  Sydney Forrester (786‑7120).

Background:

By definition the game of bingo may be conducted by charitable non-profit organizations only.  A non-profit group may conduct bingo up to three times per week, or it may allow its facilities to be used to conduct bingo up to three times per week.  No group may conduct bingo at any location where bingo is offered more than three times per week.

Summary of  Bill:

The three-time per week restriction is lifted for conducting bingo games.  A nonprofit organization may conduct bingo on more than three times per week and may allow its facility to be used to conduct bingo more than three times per week.  Non-profit bingo operators may share facilities at one location.  The Gambling Commission may not issue a new license to conduct bingo until July 1, 2007.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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

Testimony For:  None.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  None.