HB 7070 Summary

• Transfers regulation of bingo games from the Commissioner of Consumer Protection to municipal officials (chief of police or chief executive officer) effective January 1, 2018.

• Allows municipalities to permit bingo games through voter petition and approval; permits remain valid indefinitely unless revoked by similar petition.

• Establishes three classes of bingo permits with annual or limited-day frequencies: Class A (one day per week), Class B (up to ten successive days), and Class C (one day per month), with permit fees set by municipalities not to exceed $75, $10/day, and $50 respectively.

• Shifts bazaar and raffle permit authority from state to municipal officials and simplifies application requirements; sets maximum permit fees for various bazaar classes.

• Organizations conducting bingo, bazaars, or raffles must file financial reports with municipal officials and pay five percent of gross receipts from bingo games to the municipality; violations are class D misdemeanors for bingo or fines up to $1,000 for bazaars/raffles.