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GA HB473
Bill
Status
Introduced
2/16/2023
Primary Sponsor
Buddy DeLoach
Click for details
AI Summary
- Counties with at least 50,000 acres of state-owned, non-taxable land ("qualified counties") and municipalities within them may obtain a bingo license from the Secretary of State to operate bingo games, including electronic bingo machines, to offset lost property tax revenue from state-owned forest lands
- Bingo licenses cost $1,000 annually, are valid for 10 years, and require renewal applications submitted at least 60 days before expiration; licensed local governments may contract with private entities to operate the games, with adjusted net income required to be used for a public purpose
- Qualified counties operating bingo games become ineligible for State Forestry Commission grants for state-owned land; once bingo proceeds exceed the grant amount the county would have received in a fiscal year, the county must remit 5% of adjusted net income to the state
- The Secretary of State must inspect and approve all electronic bingo machine models before use, may inspect machines and payout records at any time, and is directed to establish minimum standards for electronic bingo machines; violations carry fines up to $5,000
- Licensed local governments are exempt from restrictions that apply to nonprofit bingo operators, including limits on prizes ($3,000/week), session frequency (one per day, five hours max), salary prohibitions, and bans on contracting with private entities
Legislative Description
Crimes and offenses; local governments operate bingo based games to offset reduced tax collections resulting from state-owned forest lands; authorize
Last Action
House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute
2/13/2024
Committee Referrals
Regulated Industries2/21/2023
Full Bill Text
No bill text available