Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research | BILL ANALYSIS |
Appropriations Subcommittee on General Government & Information Technology |
HB 2754
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. |
Brief Description: Authorizing the gambling commission to increase fees.
Sponsors: Representatives Hudgins, Condotta, Hurst, Jinkins, Roberts, Ormsby and S. Hunt.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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Hearing Date: 2/6/14
Staff: Derek Rutter (786-7157).
Background:
The Washington State Gambling Commission (Commission) is responsible for licensing and regulating all authorized social gambling activities in the state, except for horse racing and the state lottery. The Commission investigates and controls unauthorized and illegal gambling activities. It also co-regulates tribal gaming activities pursuant to compacts between the tribes and the state.
The Commission has authority to issue licenses to the following:
bona fide charitable or nonprofit organizations to conduct bingo games, raffles, amusement games, and social card games, and to utilize punchboards and pull-tabs;
persons, associations, or organizations operating businesses primarily engaged in the selling of items of food or drink for consumption on the premises to utilize punchboards and pull-tabs and to conduct social card games as a commercial stimulant;
persons, associations, or organizations to conduct or operate amusement games; and
persons, associations, or organizations to engage in the selling, distributing, supplying, or the manufacturing of gambling related equipment.
The Commission may collect licensing fees from any of the above licensees. It may also collect fees from employees, such as dealers, working in tribal casinos. The Commission may only raise fees in any fiscal year if approved by a simple majority vote in both the House of Representatives and the Senate.
Summary of Bill:
The Commission may raise fees by up to 5 percent in fiscal year 2015.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.