HB 7137 Summary

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

• Reduces permit fees for bingo games: Class A permits from $75 to maintain at $75, Class B remains at $5 per day, and Class C permits set at $50; directs all permit fees to municipalities rather than the state.

• Changes the bingo game gross receipts fee from state collection to municipalities, with organizations paying 5% of gross receipts (minus prizes) directly to the municipality where games are conducted.

• Eliminates the Commissioner of Consumer Protection's rulemaking authority for bingo, bazaars, and raffles, replacing formal administrative hearing procedures with direct appeals to superior court for aggrieved parties.

• Modifies bazaar and raffle application processes to go directly to municipal officials rather than through the state commissioner, and reduces several permit fees (e.g., Class No. 1 raffle permit from $50 to $25).