HOUSE BILL REPORT
SB 6059
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. |
As Reported by House Committee On:
State Government & Tribal Affairs
Title: An act relating to veterans' raffle.
Brief Description: Establishing the veterans' raffle.
Sponsors: Senators Conway, Kastama, Shin, Kohl-Welles and Roach.
Brief History:
Committee Activity:
State Government & Tribal Affairs: 2/15/12, 2/16/12 [DP].
Brief Summary of Bill |
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HOUSE COMMITTEE ON STATE GOVERNMENT & TRIBAL AFFAIRS |
Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 10 members: Representatives Hunt, Chair; Appleton, Vice Chair; Taylor, Ranking Minority Member; Overstreet, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Alexander, Condotta, Darneille, Dunshee, Hurst and McCoy.
Staff: Valerie Rickman (786-7119) and Cece Clynch (786-7195).
Background:
Washington's Lottery (Lottery) was established in 1982 to produce revenues for the state. Proceeds from Lottery revenues are deposited into the State Lottery Account to support Lottery operations and also for specific beneficiaries. Lottery beneficiaries include:
the Washington Opportunity Pathways Account;
distributions to counties for payment of stadium bonds;
problem gambling education;
economic development; and
the State General Fund.
The Lottery has general authority to conduct draw games. A raffle is a type of draw game where the Lottery conducts a drawing to determine winning tickets. Proceeds from raffles are deposited into the State Lottery Account. The Lottery has conducted three raffles, including the Thanksgiving Raffle in 2010, which generated approximately $2.5 million in sales and $330,000 for beneficiaries.
In 2006 the Legislature established the Veterans Innovations Program (VIP) within the Department of Veterans Affairs. 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 related to employment, education, housing, and health care. The Competitive Grant Program provides crisis and emergency relief and education, training, and employment assistance.
In 2011 the veterans' raffle was established. Each year, the Lottery Commission must conduct a statewide raffle to benefit veterans and their families. The law establishing the veterans' raffle specifies that tickets should go on sale on Labor Day with a drawing to occur on Veterans Day, November 11 of each year. 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 VIP Account for purposes of serving veterans and their families.
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Summary of Bill:
The bill removes provisions specifying when tickets for the veterans' raffle must be sold and when the drawing must occur.
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Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony:
(In support) This bill will give Washington's Lottery more flexibility in operating the veterans' raffle. The additional flexibility may help raise more money through the raffle.
(Opposed) None.
Persons Testifying: Senator Conway, prime sponsor; Arlen Harris, Washington's Lottery; and Ted Wicorek, Veterans Legislative Coalition.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.