HB 445 Summary

• Establishes annual license fees for owners of coin, cash, token, or credit card-operated amusement and entertainment machines for commercial public use, with fees based on number of machines owned rather than sales.

• Creates a tiered master license fee structure ranging from $500 for 5 or fewer machines to $5,000 for 101 or more machines, plus annual location license fees of $15 per machine at each venue.

• Exempts single business locations with 50 or more machines from the new fee structure; these locations continue operating under existing fee arrangements.

• Imposes civil penalties of $50-$100 per machine for operating without required decals or knowingly violating licensing requirements, with authority for the commissioner to confiscate non-compliant machines after 60 days.

• Becomes effective on the first day of the third month following passage and approval, with applications beginning October 1, 2016 for the 2017 tax year.