MO HJR85

Submits to Missouri voters a constitutional amendment to article III, section 39(a) regarding volunteer bingo game operations by religious, charitable, fraternal, veteran, and service organizations.

Allows persons participating in the actual operation of bingo games to qualify with only one year of continuous membership in the licensed organization, instead of the current two-year requirement for management and conduct roles.

Maintains existing requirements that all net receipts be used only for charitable, religious, or philanthropic purposes and that volunteers cannot be compensated.

Requires the licensed organization to have existed continuously for at least five years with 20 bona fide members, and prohibits participants from being professional gamblers, paid staff, or individuals with felony convictions or gambling-related convictions.

Election for voter approval set for the general election on Tuesday following the first Monday in November 2010, or at a special election called by the governor.