05/07/1997 01:20 PM Senate JUD

          HB  50 BROADCASTING OF RAFFLES AND CLASSICS                         
                                                                              
  TOM MANNINEN , legislative aide to Representative Hodgins, sponsor           
 of the measure, explained HB 50 removes the prohibition on                    
 broadcast advertising for legislatively-identified Classics.   At             
 present, the only Classics that are allowed to use broadcasting are           
 fishing derbies.                                                              
                                                                               
  CHAIRMAN TAYLOR  remarked the bill is self-explanatory, and does not         
 expand the classics, but allows the legislatively-designated                  
 raffles the opportunity to advertise on public radio.                         
                                                                               
  MR. MANNINEN  clarified HB 50 gives the Classics the opportunity to          
 use broadcast advertising.                                                    
                                                                               
  CHAIRMAN TAYLOR  asked if that includes all forms of media.   MR.            
 MANNINEN  explained it would allow groups to use broadcast                    
 advertising, but not to conduct charitable gaming activity when               
 using it.                                                                     
                                                                               
 Number 076                                                                    
                                                                               
  SENATOR MILLER  expressed concern about HB 50 because of his                 
 opposition to gaming legislation.  He stated although HB 50 does              
 not add any new Classics, allowing existing Classics to use air               
 waves is an expansion of gaming activities.  He noted he would not            
 be supporting this legislation.                                               
                                                                               
  CHAIRMAN TAYLOR  announced Senator Parnell had arrived, and that             
 Representative Hodgins was available to speak to HB 50.                       
                                                                               
  SENATOR PARNELL  noted he would not be supporting HB 50 either.              
                                                                               
  REPRESENTATIVE HODGINS  stated that he agrees with Senator Miller            
 regarding the issue of gambling, however the Legislature has                  
 allowed certain sweepstakes, fishing derbies, to use the broadcast            
 media.  HB 50 would allow other legislatively-designated                      
 sweepstakes the same ability.  As the Legislature cuts funding, it            
 is difficult to not allow community groups the opportunity to try             
 to raise money for scholarships, etc.  He clarified the Classics do           
 not involve pull-tabs or bingo, or any other game of chance.                  
                                                                               
  SENATOR MILLER  agreed with Representative Hodgins that the                  
 Legislature has created an uneven playing field, but he would                 
 heartily support the bill if it disallowed all groups from using              
 the broadcast media.                                                          
                                                                               
  CHAIRMAN TAYLOR  stated HB 50 would be pending before the committee          
 and adjourned the meeting at 1:25 p.m.