SSTA - 3/21/95 SB 71 DEEP FREEZE CLASSIC SENATOR SHARP brings up SB 71 as the next order of business before the Senate State Affairs Committee and calls the first witness. SENATOR GEORGIANNA LINCOLN, prime sponsor of SB 71, reads the sponsor statement for SB 71 to the committee. Number 291 CLEETA BARGER, Delta Chamber of Commerce, informs the committee that the idea for a deep-freeze classic was the result of a study done by the chamber, which was looking for ways to improve the economy in the Delta area. Number 308 SENATOR RANDY PHILLIPS asks if Delta has held a deep-freeze classic before. MS. BARGER responds no, the brochure Senator Phillips is looking at is pre-planning for the classic. At the time, the chamber did not know they needed legislative approval to use the word "classic." SENATOR RANDY PHILLIPS suggests Delta hold a rodeo. Number 332 CAROL STOCK, testifying from Delta, states SB 71 would help diversify the economy by benefiting the tourism industry. SENATOR LINCOLN points out that in the back-up information for SB 71, it is estimated that the chamber would get some revenue from the classic and use that revenue to enhance and encourage tourism. Number 358 SENATOR DONLEY asks if there is anything in the legislation stipulating how the money is to be used, or if it would be up to the discretion of the Delta Chamber of Commerce. MS. BARGER replies, "Festival of Lights, and we have cooperated with the federal and state governments, and we are in the process of getting Sullivan Roadhouse, the oldest remaining roadhouse in the interior, replaced from Fort Greely reservation to Delta Junction. The chamber of commerce is taking on that responsibility. If there are more funds available than it takes to run our winter festival, then we will put it into Sullivan Roadhouse." SENATOR LINCOLN does not think the $25,000 will go very far to promote further economic development for the community. Number 375 CHAIRMAN SHARP asks what the state regulations are, as far as cost and licensing requirements, and the amount that is required to be paid to the winner. DENNIS POSHARD, Director, Charitable Gaming Division, Department of Revenue, stated there are no regulations requiring a minimum amount of money be returned to the permittee, which in this case would be the Delta Chamber of Commerce. Number 396 SENATOR LEMAN asks how the classic will be run; he sees two constraints: a time constraint and a temperature constraint. What will take precedence: guessing the right temperature, or guessing the right date? MS. BARGER responds guessing the right temperature will take precedence, with the date and time second. SENATOR RANDY PHILLIPS asks what happens if the temperature is the same for eight straight hours. MS. BARGER replies, "Then they would share the clock." SENATOR DONLEY comments he has voted against everyone of these bills for nine years now. But he does not think it is an unreasonable thing for Delta to ask for; they are going to need some help. He will not oppose moving the bill from committee. SENATOR RANDY PHILLIPS makes a motion to discharge SB 71 from the Senate State Affairs Committee with individual recommendations. SENATOR LEMAN objects for the purposes of commenting on the subject. He objects to gambling, although he supports the causes the classics support. Senator Leman states he will vote against the bill when it reaches the floor, but he removes his objection. Number 393 CHAIRMAN SHARP thinks the legislature might want to go through and delete some of the games of chance from statute that are not currently in operation. The chairman, hearing no further objection, orders SB 71 released from committee with individual recommendations.