HCS HB 1929 -- EXCURSION GAMBLING BOAT LICENSEES

SPONSOR:  Jones, 89 (Cooper, 120)

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass" by the Special Committee on
General Laws by a vote of 8 to 0.

This substitute allows the Executive Director of the Missouri
Gaming Commission to levy an appropriate administrative penalty
against a holder of any gaming license who violates the
provisions of Chapter 313, RSMo, including, but not limited to, a
monetary penalty and suspension or revocation of a license.  The
executive director must report any administrative penalties to
the commission on a regular basis.

The issuance of any new excursion gambling boat license prior to
January 1, 2010, is prohibited.

FISCAL NOTE:  No impact on General Revenue Fund in FY 2009,
FY 2010, and FY 2011.  Estimated Cost on Other State Funds of
Unknown in FY 2009, Unknown in FY 2010, and $0 in FY 2011.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that the Missouri Gaming Commission
arbitrarily fines member corporations and that the process for
review of the fines needs to be reformed.  The bill models review
of fines after a prosecutorial claim recommendation.

Testifying for the bill were Representative Cooper (120); and
Missouri Gaming Association.

OPPONENTS:  Those who oppose the bill say that casino revenues
should not factor into the amount of fines assessed to casinos.
The circumstances of the violations should dictate the fines.
The Missouri Gaming Commission as a whole should deliberate and
assess the fine instead of allowing the executive director as an
individual to decide the fine.

Testifying against the bill were Casino Watch; and Missouri
Family Network.

OTHERS:  Others testifying on the bill described the current and
proposed process of assessing gaming fines and the subsequent
review of fines by the Missouri Gaming Commission.

Testifying on the bill was Missouri Gaming Commission.

Missouri House of Representatives
94th General Assembly, 2nd Regular Session
Last Updated October 15, 2008 at 3:11 pm