HB576 Summary

• Proposes a local constitutional amendment for the City of Fairfield in Jefferson County to legalize bingo games operated by nonprofit organizations for charitable, educational, or other lawful purposes.

• Restricts bingo operation to nonprofit organizations (religious, educational, service, senior citizens, fraternal, or veterans groups) that have existed for three years or hold IRS tax-exempt status, including volunteer fire departments and rescue squads.

• Imposes operational requirements including a minimum age of 19 years for players and operators, games limited to nonprofit-owned or leased premises, prohibition on third-party contracts to operate games, and maximum prizes of $10,000 per session.

• Requires equipment to be marked with the nonprofit organization's name in letters at least one-half inch tall, prohibits use of equipment marked with another organization's name, and mandates conspicuous display of bingo licenses at game locations.

• Establishes that violations constitute a Class A misdemeanor and grants the Fairfield City Council authority to promulgate rules and regulations for licensing, permitting, and operation of bingo games, with the chief of police responsible for enforcement.