Legislature(2023 - 2024)BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)

03/13/2024 01:30 PM Senate LABOR & COMMERCE

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* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+= SB 234 EXTEND MARIJUANA CONTROL BOARD TELECONFERENCED
Moved SB 234 Out of Committee
-- Invited & Public Testimony --
*+ SB 146 GAMING; ELECTRONIC PULL-TABS TELECONFERENCED
Heard & Held
-- Invited & Public Testimony --
-- Public Testimony <Time Limit May Be Set> --
*+ SB 219 PRIOR AUTH EXEMPT FOR HEALTH PROVIDERS TELECONFERENCED
Heard & Held
-- Invited & Public Testimony --
**Streamed live on AKL.tv**
              SB 146-GAMING; ELECTRONIC PULL-TABS                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
1:42:37 PM                                                                                                                    
CHAIR  BJORKMAN   reconvened  the   meeting  and   announced  the                                                               
consideration of SENATE  BILL NO. 146, "An Act  relating to pull-                                                               
tabs; relating to persons prohibited  from involvement in gaming;                                                               
and relating to the duties of the Department of Revenue."                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
1:43:15 PM                                                                                                                    
ADAM  CRUM, Commissioner,  Department of  Revenue (DOR),  Juneau,                                                               
Alaska, introduced SB 146 on  behalf of the sponsor and explained                                                               
that this legislation  would help charities by  removing caps and                                                               
allowing access to a new form of  gaming. He said the new form of                                                               
gaming would increase  revenue to all parties (as  has been shown                                                               
in other states).                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
1:44:10 PM                                                                                                                    
BRANDON SPANOS,  Acting Director of the  Tax Division, Department                                                               
of Revenue  (DOR), advanced to  slide 2  of a presentation  on SB
146:                                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
[Original punctuation provided.]                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
     SB 146  Current Pull-Tab Gaming Structure                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
         Tax Division mission: To collect taxes, inform                                                                         
     stakeholders, and regulate charitable gaming.                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
     Who can conduct gaming activities in Alaska?                                                                               
        • Municipalities                                                                                                        
        • Qualified nonprofit organizations                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
    What   are   examples    of   a   qualified   nonprofit                                                                     
     organization?                                                                                                              
        • Civic or Service Organizations                                                                                        
        • Religious                                                                                                             
        • Charitable                                                                                                            
        • Fraternal                                                                                                             
        • Veterans                                                                                                              
        • Labor                                                                                                                 
        • Political                                                                                                             
        • Educational                                                                                                           
        • Police Or Fire Departments and Companies                                                                              
        • Dog Mushers' Associations                                                                                             
        • Outboard Motor Associations                                                                                           
        • Fishing Derby                                                                                                         
        • Nonprofit Trade Associations                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
MR. SPANOS explained that the  purpose of gaming activities is to                                                               
provide public  benefit in the  form of money that  supports non-                                                               
profit organizations.  He noted  that, in addition  to pull-tabs,                                                               
the division also regulates bingo and raffles.                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
1:45:59 PM                                                                                                                    
MR. SPANOS advanced to slide 3:                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
[Original punctuation provided.]                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
     SB 146  Current Pull-Tab Gaming Structure                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
     Overview                                                                                                                   
        • Annual permits range from $20 to $100                                                                                 
        • 1 percent fee on net proceeds annually from                                                                           
          permittees with gross receipts of $20,000 or more                                                                     
        • Annual licenses range from $500 to $2,500                                                                             
        • 3 percent tax on pull-tabs sold by distributor                                                                        
          due monthly                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
MR.  SPANOS  explained  that  the   program  issues  permits  and                                                               
licenses to  conduct gaming activities,  collect fees  and taxes,                                                               
conduct audits,  and investigates complaints from  the public and                                                               
other   permittees.  Permittees   and  licensees   file  monthly,                                                               
quarterly, and annual  returns (depending on the  amount of gross                                                               
receipts and the  type of permit or  license held). Manufacturers                                                               
and  distributers file  monthly reports.  Operators file  monthly                                                               
reports to permittees but not to  the tax division. He noted that                                                               
permit and  license fees, pull-tab  taxes, and net  proceeds fees                                                               
are deposited into  the general fund. He directed  attention to a                                                               
chart on slide  3 detailing the amount for each  category for the                                                               
last three years.                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
1:47:21 PM                                                                                                                    
MR.  SPANOS  advanced  to  slide  4,  displaying  the  number  of                                                               
permittees,     operators,      multi-beneficiary     permittees,                                                               
distributors, and  manufacturers that  report to the  division as                                                               
well as the number of reports  received. He noted that the number                                                               
of permittees in  2023 was 1,045 and 3,344  reports were received                                                               
from those permittees.                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
1:47:56 PM                                                                                                                    
MR. SPANOS advanced to slide 5:                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
[Original punctuation provided.]                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
     SB 146  Pull-Tab Gaming History                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
     1960  - The  Alaska  Legislature  legalized gaming  and                                                                    
     gave  oversight  for  all   gaming  activities  to  the                                                                    
     Department of Revenue (DOR).                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
     1984 - The DOR authorized pull-tabs by regulation.                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
     1988 - The  Legislature legalized operators, authorized                                                                    
     pull-tabs, and increased prize limits.                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
     1989  - Under  administrative  order, gaming  functions                                                                    
     transferred  to the  Department of  Commerce, Community                                                                    
     and Economic Development.                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
     1993  - Under  administrative  order, gaming  functions                                                                    
     transferred  back  to  the   DOR  and  the  Legislature                                                                    
     significantly  changed various  aspects  of the  gaming                                                                    
     statutes to include:                                                                                                       
        • Permittees allowed to contract with 3rd-party                                                                         
          vendors to sell pull-tabs                                                                                             
        • Multiple-Beneficiary Permits (MBPs) created                                                                           
        • Minimum payments by operators to the permittees,                                                                      
          increased from 15 percent to 30 percent of                                                                            
          adjusted gross income for pull-tab games                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
1:48:45 PM                                                                                                                    
MR. SPANOS advanced to slide 6:                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
[Original punctuation provided.]                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
     SB 146  Bill Overview                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
     Allows pull-tab  games to be expanded  from traditional                                                                    
      paper pull-tabs to include electronic pull-tabs or e-                                                                     
     tabs.                                                                                                                      
        • Current statute defines a "pull-tab game" as a                                                                        
          game of chance where a  card, the face of which is                                                                    
          covered  to conceal  a number,  symbol, or  set of                                                                    
          symbols,  is  purchased  by  the  participant  and                                                                    
          where  a prize  is awarded  for a  card containing                                                                    
          certain numbers  or symbols designated  in advance                                                                    
          and at random.                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
     Increases the prize limits  for permittees who contract                                                                    
     with an operator  from a maximum of  $500,000 in prizes                                                                    
     each year  to a  maximum of  $2,000,000 in  prizes each                                                                    
     year for  electronic pull-tab activities and  a maximum                                                                    
     of  $1,000,000 in  prizes each  year  for other  gaming                                                                    
     activities.                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
     Provides  unique limitations  for  electronic pull  tab                                                                    
     systems that the paper pull-tab games do not have:                                                                         
        • A series may not exceed 15,000 tickets                                                                                
        • A Vendor may not have more than five electronic                                                                       
          pull tab devices on premises                                                                                          
        • An Operator may not have more than ten electronic                                                                     
          pull tab devices on premises                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
        Note: There is no limit for the number of electronic                                                                    
        pull tab devices for permittees.                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
1:49:59 PM                                                                                                                    
MR. SPANOS advanced to slide 7:                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
[Original punctuation provided.]                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
     SB 146 - Estimated Revenue Impact                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
     Data from  five other  states that have  implemented e-                                                                    
     tabs was used to prepare the fiscal analysis.                                                                              
        • Minnesota                                                                                                             
        • New Hampshire                                                                                                         
        • Kentucky                                                                                                              
        • Virginia                                                                                                              
        • North Dakota                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
     The average of the other five states was used for the                                                                      
     fiscal note.                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
     This estimated  revenue is one  option in a  wide range                                                                    
     of  uncertainty.  We have  provided  the  high and  low                                                                    
     cases  of   our  analysis  below  to   demonstrate  the                                                                    
     possible range of outcomes.                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
MR. SPANOS  said that the  DOR analysis indicates  that expanding                                                               
gaming   to  electronic   pull-tabs  ("e-tabs")   would  generate                                                               
additional positive revenue. He directed  attention to a chart on                                                               
slide 7  titled, "Possible Alaska Additional  Revenue from Adding                                                               
E-Tabs ($  millions)" and said  that there would be  an estimated                                                               
$1 million in additional state revenue  in the first full year of                                                               
implementation (FY  2026). This would  increase to $3  million in                                                               
FY 2030.  He explained  that there  is no  expected impact  in FY                                                               
2025 due to a year-long implementation process.                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
1:51:16 PM                                                                                                                    
MR. SPANOS reviewed points on slide 8:                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
[Original punctuation provided.]                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
     SB 146 - Implementation Cost                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
        • The Charitable Gaming group has been reduced due                                                                      
          to budget cuts over recent years                                                                                      
        • Currently very small group within the Tax                                                                             
          Division                                                                                                              
        • SB 146 creates an added burden on the group that                                                                      
          necessitates adding positions to provide adequate                                                                     
          service to permittees, operators and others as                                                                        
          well as enforcement                                                                                                   
        • Two positions at a cost of $225,300 per year as                                                                       
          part of fiscal note                                                                                                   
        • Other costs for software and forms updates will                                                                       
          be absorbed by the Division                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
MR. SPANOS  explained that the charitable  gaming group currently                                                               
consists of three positions -  two of which are currently vacant.                                                               
He  indicated that  it is  a large  job for  three individuals  -                                                               
larger still for a single person.                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
1:52:35 PM                                                                                                                    
SENATOR GRAY-JACKSON  asked if  the increase  in prize  limits is                                                               
expected to increase state revenue.                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
1:52:56 PM                                                                                                                    
MR. SPANOS  answered that increased  prize limits  could increase                                                               
state  revenue through  increased gaming  activity. He  explained                                                               
that  each  operator  could  potentially  have  increased  gaming                                                               
activity as a result of higher prizes.                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
1:53:14 PM                                                                                                                    
SENATOR  GRAY-JACKSON  asked  how  e-tabs  would  increase  state                                                               
revenue.                                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
1:53:29 PM                                                                                                                    
MR. SPANOS  answered that the  DOR analysis indicates  that other                                                               
states that  utilize e-tabs saw  an associated increase  in state                                                               
revenue. The  analysis concluded that  this is likely  because e-                                                               
tabs appeal to  some individuals who are not  interested in paper                                                               
pull-tabs. He  referred to a presentation  by Arrow International                                                               
which showed  that a younger  generation of players  are engaging                                                               
with e-tabs (though this younger generation is still adult age).                                                                
                                                                                                                                
1:54:11 PM                                                                                                                    
CHAIR BJORKMAN asked  for confirmation that SB  146 is forecasted                                                               
to raise state revenue by $1 million.                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
1:54:32 PM                                                                                                                    
MR. SPANOS replied that this is correct.                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
1:54:40 PM                                                                                                                    
CHAIR BJORKMAN  asked how many additional  dollars Alaskans would                                                               
have to gamble to create the additional $1 million in revenue.                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
1:54:55 PM                                                                                                                    
MR. SPANOS  answered that he could  supply the exact number  at a                                                               
later time. He  shared his understanding that pull-tabs  have a 3                                                               
percent return;  however, there  may be  other fees  involved. He                                                               
agreed that  it would require  an increase in gaming  activity to                                                               
create the additional revenue.                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
1:55:20 PM                                                                                                                    
CHAIR  BJORKMAN  asked  if charities  would  see  a  proportional                                                               
increase in revenue.                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
1:55:34 PM                                                                                                                    
MR. SPANOS replied  yes, the charities would have  an increase in                                                               
revenue.                                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
1:55:40 PM                                                                                                                    
CHAIR BJORKMAN asked  if the revenue increase  to charities would                                                               
be proportionate.                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
1:55:43 PM                                                                                                                    
MR. SPANOS replied that because  the state's take is a percentage                                                               
-  except for  the  flat permits  and  fees -  it  would be  very                                                               
proportionate.                                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
1:55:54 PM                                                                                                                    
CHAIR  BJORKMAN   asked  for   clarification  that   if  gameplay                                                               
increased  4x, the  department  would receive  a  4x increase  in                                                               
revenue and charities would also receive a 4x increase.                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
1:56:23 PM                                                                                                                    
MR.  SPANOS clarified  that it  may not  be exactly  the same  4x                                                               
increase, but it would be very close.                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
1:56:39 PM                                                                                                                    
SENATOR GRAY-JACKSON asked what percentage charities receive.                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
1:56:47 PM                                                                                                                    
MR. SPANOS  replied that he  would defer that question  to Martha                                                               
Abel.                                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
1:57:14 PM                                                                                                                    
MARTHA  ABEL,  Gaming  Manager,   Department  of  Revenue  (DOR),                                                               
Juneau, Alaska, said that she was unable to hear the question.                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
1:57:35 PM                                                                                                                    
SENATOR  GRAY-JACKSON  asked  what percentage  charities  receive                                                               
from gaming.                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
1:57:40 PM                                                                                                                    
MS.  ABEL  replied  that   nonprofits  (permittees)  receive  100                                                               
percent  of net  proceeds  from gaming.  She  explained that  the                                                               
gross receipts come in, expenses  are subtracted from this total.                                                               
Certain  licensees  charge  a  fee, which  is  in  an  additional                                                               
expense. The  net proceeds are  what is  left after all  of these                                                               
fees are  taken out. She was  unable to give an  exact percentage                                                               
but offered to get back to the committee with this information.                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
1:59:01 PM                                                                                                                    
SENATOR  GRAY-JACKSON expressed  her appreciation  and said  that                                                               
this provides a clear answer.                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
1:59:11 PM                                                                                                                    
CHAIR BJORKMAN  indicated that the committee  would be interested                                                               
to know - for  every dollar spent on a pull-tab  - how many cents                                                               
are going to charity.                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
MS. ABEL replied  that she would provide this  information to the                                                               
committee.                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
1:59:50 PM                                                                                                                    
MR. SPANOS expressed his appreciation to the committee.                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
2:00:36 PM                                                                                                                    
MARY  MAGNUSON, Vice  President  of  Governmental Affairs,  Arrow                                                               
International, St. Paul, Minnesota,  began her presentation on SB
146. She advanced  to slide 2 and offered a  brief history of her                                                               
work experience  and Arrow  International (Arrow).  She explained                                                               
that  e-tabs  are   an  evolution  of  paper   pull-tabs,  not  a                                                               
replacement.  She  emphasized that  Arrow  is  not attempting  to                                                               
create   a  monopoly,   though  they   did  recently   acquire  a                                                               
distributor  in Alaska  -  Whaler  Casino Supply  -  this was  to                                                               
create  more distribution  outlets for  product. She  pointed out                                                               
that, in Alaska,  it is possible for a manufacturer  to also hold                                                               
a  distributor   license.  She  described  the   purchase  as  an                                                               
investment in Alaska.                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
2:04:12 PM                                                                                                                    
MS.  MAGNUSON  advanced  to  slide   3  and  compared  paper  and                                                               
electronic  pull  tabs.  She  explained   that  there  is  little                                                               
difference  between the  two formats.  She briefly  discussed the                                                               
cost range for  both. With respect to paybacks -  the amount that                                                               
goes back to the  player in the form of prizes  - she stated that                                                               
paper  games average  82 percent  (the charity  holds roughly  18                                                               
percent). Electronic  games tend to  run a little higher,  with a                                                               
90  percent payback.  She added  that charities  do very  well at                                                               
this rate  of payback but  acknowledged that some  have expressed                                                               
concern with  this amount not  leaving enough to the  charity (10                                                               
percent).  However,   she  explained  that,  like   paper  games,                                                               
electronic games are offered in  a variety of paybacks (developed                                                               
based on  market demand).  She stated  that there  is no  need to                                                               
fear that all  games will include a 90 percent  payback since the                                                               
game payback will adjust to market demand.                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
2:06:04 PM                                                                                                                    
MS. MAGNUSON advanced to slide 4:                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
[Original punctuation provided.]                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
     ELECTRONIC PULL TABS                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
        • Electronic pull tab devices show the ticket                                                                           
          results on a digital display                                                                                          
        • Replicates existing paper pull tab with low                                                                           
          stakes, low wagers & limited prizes                                                                                   
        • Multiple games on each device                                                                                         
        • Multiple payout options - 85 percent or 90                                                                            
          percent                                                                                                               
        • Connects to standard internet and for tablets,                                                                        
          standard Wi-Fi                                                                                                        
        • New games provided regularly                                                                                          
        • Robust record keeping and reporting features,                                                                         
          including    reports     configured    to    state                                                                    
          requirements and direct DOR access                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
MS. MAGNUSON  explained that  the payout  for paper  pull-tabs is                                                               
around 82  percent, leaving  18 percent  for the  charity. E-tabs                                                               
tend  to run  a  little higher,  with a  90  percent payout.  She                                                               
acknowledged  that  there has  been  concern  that a  90  percent                                                               
payout  does  not  leave  enough   for  charities  (10  percent);                                                               
however,  electronic games  (like their  paper counterparts)  can                                                               
have  a  variety of  payouts.  She  indicated that  whatever  the                                                               
market wants can  be developed. She opined that there  is no need                                                               
to fear  a 90 percent  (or more)  payout. She explained  that the                                                               
games can  either come in a  stand-alone cabinet style or  a more                                                               
portable tablet.  SB 146 would  allow both. She pointed  out that                                                               
tablets   offer   greater   ease  and   flexibility   for   rural                                                               
communities.                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
2:09:06 PM                                                                                                                    
MS. MAGNUSON advanced to slide 5:                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
[Original punctuation provided.]                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
     BENEFITS OF ELECTRONIC PULL TABS                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
        • Increased revenues to charities (permittees)                                                                          
             • Average 74 percent increase in other states                                                                      
               with electronic pull tabs based on state                                                                         
               data                                                                                                             
        • Attracts new players                                                                                                  
             • Provides sustainability for veteran and                                                                          
               fraternal clubs                                                                                                  
        • Complements paper games                                                                                               
             • No significant decline in paper ticket sales                                                                     
               in any state                                                                                                     
        • Competitive pricing                                                                                                   
            • Likely 30 percent to 33 percent of net                                                                            
        • Increases accountability                                                                                              
        • Simplifies monitoring and reporting                                                                                   
        • Enhances regulatory oversight                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
MS. MAGNUSUN  noted that  "net revenue" is  equal to  wagers less                                                               
prizes.  She  explained  that  there  are  no  upfront  costs  to                                                               
charities; if  no one  played the e-tabs  then the  charity would                                                               
not lose  money. She went  on to say  that the charity  pays when                                                               
pull-tabs and  e-tabs are  sold. She stated  that there  would be                                                               
competitive  pricing  and  indicated  that  concerns  related  to                                                               
manufacturers taking  too much money  are unfounded.  She briefly                                                               
discussed distributor  rates and  explained that  paper pull-tabs                                                               
cost  20  percent  while  e-tabs   would  cost  30  percent.  She                                                               
emphasized that  the charities receive  the equipment up  front -                                                               
at no  cost. All equipment  servicing is included, and  new games                                                               
are provided on a regular basis.  She noted that these games cost                                                               
between $200,000 and  $300,000 to develop. In  addition, there is                                                               
24-hour customer service available  for any questions. She opined                                                               
that the  price may be  higher but  there are more  benefits that                                                               
justify this  price increase. She  contrasted the sale  of e-tabs                                                               
(if they  do not  sell, no  payment is required)  to the  sale of                                                               
paper pull-tabs (the box of  tickets is purchased up-front, so if                                                               
tickets are not sold, the charity loses money).                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
2:15:23 PM                                                                                                                    
MS. MAGNUSON reiterated that with  e-tabs, the charities only pay                                                               
for  what  they  sell.  This  eliminates  the  "unplayed  ticket"                                                               
penalty.   She  went   on  to   explain   that  e-tabs   increase                                                               
accountability by  utilizing back-end  reporting that  allows for                                                               
easier monitoring.  Additionally, it  is impossible for  a seller                                                               
to suggest  that one game  might be  better than others  based on                                                               
the number  of winners and  remaining number of tickets,  as this                                                               
information is not available when  playing e-tabs. She noted that                                                               
the rule disallowing the sale  of pull-tabs to relatives does not                                                               
apply  to   e-tabs.  E-tabs  increase  regulatory   oversight  by                                                               
allowing  electronic reports  and back-end  device access  via an                                                               
online portal system.                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
2:16:47 PM                                                                                                                    
MS. MAGNUSON advanced to slide 6:                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
[Original punctuation provided.]                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
     WHAT CAN ALASKA EXPECT FROM ELECTRONIC PULL TABS?                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
        • Electronic pull tabs will be optional, NOT                                                                            
          mandatory.                                                                                                            
        • Paper pull tabs will NOT go away.                                                                                     
        • Bingo will not be destroyed.                                                                                          
        • NO up-front investment required; Charity has no                                                                       
          risk.                                                                                                                 
        • NOT an expansion of gaming; just pull tabs in a                                                                       
          modern format.                                                                                                        
        • The current regulatory structure will NOT change.                                                                     
        • Charity gaming revenue WILL increase.                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
MS. MAGNUSON  noted that currently,  the maximum amount  that can                                                               
be  spent per  ticket  is  $2 and  maximum  prize  is $500.  This                                                               
remains the same for e-tabs.                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
2:18:19 PM                                                                                                                    
MS. MAGNUSON advanced to slide 7, titled "Net Profit Comparison:                                                                
Paper pull-tabs  and electronic pull-tabs" and  explained that in                                                               
states that  utilize both paper  pull-tabs and e-tabs,  there has                                                               
been an average increase of 74  percent of net receipts. In these                                                               
states, paper  pull-tab sales continue to  increase alongside the                                                               
adoption  of e-tabs.  She noted  that the  numbers included  come                                                               
from state agencies.                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
2:19:29 PM                                                                                                                    
MS.  MAGNUSON advanced  to slide  8,  depicting a  graph of  Ohio                                                               
pull-tab net  receipts, and explained  that the net  receipts for                                                               
charities increased  from $200 million  around $375  million with                                                               
the addition of e-tabs.                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
2:19:49 PM                                                                                                                    
MS. MAGNUSON advanced to slide  9, depicting a graph of Minnesota                                                               
pull tab  net receipts, and  explained that Minnesota  sells more                                                               
pull-tabs  than  any other  state.  The  addition of  e-tabs  has                                                               
resulted in a dramatic increase in charitable revenue.                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
2:20:20 PM                                                                                                                    
MS. MAGNUSON  advanced to  slide 10, depicting  a graph  of North                                                               
Dakota pull tab net receipts, and  noted the steady sale of paper                                                               
pull-tabs contrasted with the tremendous growth of e-tab sales.                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
2:20:31 PM                                                                                                                    
MS. MAGNUSON advanced to slide  11, depicting a graph of Kentucky                                                               
pull tab net receipts, and  noted the significant growth in e-tab                                                               
sales.                                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
2:20:34 PM                                                                                                                    
MS. MAGNUSON advanced to slide  12, depicting a graph of Virginia                                                               
pull tab net receipts, electronic games.                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
2:20:40 PM                                                                                                                    
SENATOR  DUNBAR  referred  to  slide  10  and  noted  that  North                                                               
Dakota's population size is similar  to Alaska. He asked how much                                                               
gaming  activity  is  required  to  reach  $200  million  in  net                                                               
receipts.                                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
MS. MAGNUSON answered  that it likely takes around  $1 billion in                                                               
gross receipts.                                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
2:21:46 PM                                                                                                                    
SENATOR  DUNBAR  commented  that  North  Dakota's  population  is                                                               
slightly larger than Alaska.                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
2:21:58 PM                                                                                                                    
MS.  MAGNUSON  stated  that  North Dakota  has  a  population  of                                                               
770,000.                                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR DUNBAR noted  that this is about 50  thousand people more                                                               
than live  in Alaska. He asked  if Alaska's industry would  be of                                                               
approximate size.                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
MS. MAGNUSON  replied that it is  hard to predict. She  said that                                                               
the  gross  receipt number  can  be  misleading. She  offered  an                                                               
example  of someone  who has  $20 to  spend on  gaming -  and can                                                               
purchase paper pull-tabs or e-tabs.                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
2:22:58 PM                                                                                                                    
SENATOR MERRICK joined the meeting.                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
MS.  MAGNUSON continued  to  explain that  in  North Dakota,  the                                                               
payout (to  charities) on  paper pull-tabs  is around  80 percent                                                               
and around 92 percent for e-tabs.  She gave an example of someone                                                               
with  $20  to   spend  on  pull-tabs/e-tabs  and   the  cycle  of                                                               
winning/spending  that  would  occur  over the  course  of  play.                                                               
Regardless of  whether they go  home with prize money,  they have                                                               
still  only  spent the  initial  $20.  The gross  receipt  amount                                                               
includes all  of the money that  the person won -  and then chose                                                               
to  reinvest in  additional games  ("playbacks"). She  said that,                                                               
while this  counts as economic  activity, the number is  a little                                                               
exaggerated.                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
2:24:13 PM                                                                                                                    
SENATOR DUNBAR  asked if  the 8 percent  captured by  operator is                                                               
equal to the nearly $200 million shown on the chart.                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
MS. MAGNUSON answered that the $200 million is the 8 percent.                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR DUNBAR commented that the  gross receipts must be over $2                                                               
billion in order  to reach this number. He  acknowledged that the                                                               
$2  billion is  cycling; however,  $2 million  is extracted  from                                                               
players (equal  to 8 percent  of the  money spent). He  asked for                                                               
clarification that this is accurate.                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
2:25:27 PM                                                                                                                    
MS. MAGNUSON answered that this is  true for 92 percent and added                                                               
that  this is  an  example of  a high  market.  Most markets  are                                                               
closer to  90 percent,  and some are  lower (around  85 percent).                                                               
She  noted that  it also  depends on  the payback.  She confirmed                                                               
that  the  analysis is  correct;  however,  the numbers  involved                                                               
would change depending on the market percent.                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR  DUNBAR  asked  for   clarification  on  the  distinction                                                               
between the  money received by  the charity and the  pull-tab net                                                               
receipt growth.                                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
MS. MAGNUSON  clarified that it is  the amount of money  that the                                                               
charity retains after all prizes paid.                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
2:26:47 PM                                                                                                                    
SENATOR  DUNBAR pointed  out that  the  charity is  not the  only                                                               
entity being paid  - the government takes a tax,  the owners take                                                               
a profit.  He asked if the  $200 million is distributed  to these                                                               
entities and the  charity receives a portion of this  - or if the                                                               
entire $200 million is given to the charity.                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
2:27:04 PM                                                                                                                    
MS. MAGNUSON  clarified that a  portion of the $200  million goes                                                               
to taxes  and expenses and whatever  is left goes to  the charity                                                               
as profit (net minus expenses).                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
2:27:31 PM                                                                                                                    
SENATOR   GRAY-JACKSON   expressed   confusion  and   asked   for                                                               
clarification about the amount that charities receive.                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
2:27:52 PM                                                                                                                    
MS. MAGNUSON  explained that,  in this  case, "net  receipts" are                                                               
what is left  after all prizes are paid.  The charity (permittee)                                                               
must pay expenses  out of this net receipt  amount. This includes                                                               
a 3 percent  tax to the state, cost of  games, employee salaries,                                                               
etc. Once  these expenses  are paid, what  is left  is considered                                                               
"net profit" and  this is what the charity keeps.  She noted that                                                               
if the charity  has few expenses and works  with volunteers, this                                                               
profit will  be higher.  She added  that it  is in  the charity's                                                               
interest to control these expenses  - which they generally try to                                                               
do.                                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
2:29:17 PM                                                                                                                    
CHAIR BJORKMAN  expressed interest  in how  the "pie"  is divided                                                               
from previous  pull-tabs to what is  proposed by SB 146.  He said                                                               
that he would  like the distribution of funds to  remain the same                                                               
or to  have more of  the money go  to the charity  - particularly                                                               
since more  money would be  redirected from the economy  to pull-                                                               
tabs and e-tabs (the cabinet version  of which is comparable to a                                                               
slot machine).                                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
2:30:18 PM                                                                                                                    
SENATOR DUNBAR  requested to  see the last  slide. He  noted that                                                               
there  is a  projected 40  percent  increase in  net profits.  He                                                               
asked why the  projected increase is not more like  that of North                                                               
Dakota.                                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
2:31:00 PM                                                                                                                    
MS.  MAGNUSON  advanced  to  slide   13,  depicting  a  graph  of                                                               
projected Alaska  gaming profits,  and explained that  this shows                                                               
the profit  to Alaskan  charities (about  $46 million),  which is                                                               
after  all  expenses. She  clarified  that  the chart  for  North                                                               
Dakota was the gross less  prizes, without expenses taken out. In                                                               
addition, she  noted that this  is a conservative  projection and                                                               
is average across the country.                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
2:31:59 PM                                                                                                                    
CHAIR BJORKMAN opened public testimony on [SB 146].                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
2:32:17 PM                                                                                                                    
MAC  MEINERS,  representing  self, Anchorage,  Alaska,  testified                                                               
with concerns on  SB 146. He said he has  been involved in gaming                                                               
for many years.  He offered clarification on  the amount received                                                               
by   vendors,   operators,   and  fraternal   organizations.   He                                                               
emphasized that the  percentage must make the game  viable or the                                                               
charity will suffer.  He asserted that 22.5 to 24  percent is the                                                               
minimum required to make money. He  expressed doubt that 10 to 15                                                               
percent would  be successful. He  stated that he agrees  with the                                                               
increase  in prize  limits and  believes the  amount received  by                                                               
manufacturers should be 20 percent.                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
2:34:43 PM                                                                                                                    
CHRISTA FOLI,  Commander, American Veterans  (AMVETS), Department                                                               
of Alaska,  Anchorage, Alaska,  testified in  support of  SB 146.                                                               
She said that sister organizations  in states that utilize e-tabs                                                               
have  had increased  profits  that are  given  to charities.  She                                                               
added  that  these  organizations   are  volunteer  run,  so  the                                                               
charities receive 98 percent of  the funds. She said that younger                                                               
adults are not  interested in paper pull-tabs  but enjoy spending                                                               
money at slot machines in Las  Vegas. She would like to keep this                                                               
money in the state.                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
2:37:26 PM                                                                                                                    
DAVID  SANDEN,   Manager,  Hidden  Treasures   Multi  Beneficiary                                                               
Permit, Juneau,  Alaska, testified  in opposition  to SB  146. He                                                               
stated that  an increase in  the prize allowance would  result in                                                               
fewer non-profits  receiving money through charitable  gaming. He                                                               
asserted   that  SB   146  would   limit  participation   in  the                                                               
marketplace and  that the  market would  likely be  controlled by                                                               
the   manufacturers  and   distributors   of  electronic   gaming                                                               
equipment. He surmised that it would  be possible to amend SB 146                                                               
to allow for an open  and competitive market; however, this would                                                               
require  a restructuring  of the  charitable  gaming statute.  He                                                               
suggested that  an increase in  the amount returned  to charities                                                               
(e.g. increase from 30 to 35  percent of the net profits) as well                                                               
as  the amount  received by  the  state of  Alaska (from  3 to  8                                                               
percent). In addition, he  suggested disallowing local government                                                               
gross  taxation  on  pull-tabs;  instead,  split  the  8  percent                                                               
received  by the  state with  local municipalities.  He suggested                                                               
putting a cap on e-tabs at 15 percent.                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
2:39:55 PM                                                                                                                    
TIM  NAVARE,  representing  self,  Kenai,  Alaska,  testified  in                                                               
opposition to SB 146. He  opined that this legislation needs more                                                               
work.  He   suggested  that  there  are   potential  issues  with                                                               
distributors  and  the creation  of  a  monopoly. He  shared  his                                                               
belief  that, as  it  currently stands,  everyone  loses but  the                                                               
manufacturers and  distributors. He  acknowledged that  change is                                                               
needed  but argued  that it  should be  done right  and not  hurt                                                               
nonprofits.                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
2:42:04 PM                                                                                                                    
STEVE  NERLAND, President,  American Legion  Baseball, Anchorage,                                                               
Alaska,  testified  with  concerns  on   SB  146.  He  said  that                                                               
permittees have little  to do with the gaming itself  - except as                                                               
a  source  of  income.  He  stated that  certainty  is  the  most                                                               
important  aspect of  gaming income.  Most entities  identify the                                                               
monies  that  come  in  as  additional  found  money  to  perform                                                               
services  or to  help their  organizations. Very  few budget  for                                                               
this, because it  is not a certain amount.  He expressed concerns                                                               
that SB 146 would result in fewer nonprofit permittees.                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
2:44:12 PM                                                                                                                    
MICHELLE SAS, representing self,  Anchorage, Alaska, testified in                                                               
support of SB 146.  She said she is on the  board for an American                                                               
Legion  auxiliary unit.  She shared  her  understanding that  the                                                               
operators and  people who produce  the games make a  lion's share                                                               
of  the  money; however,  her  small  organization benefits  from                                                               
being a  permittee and would  continue to benefit if  e-tabs were                                                               
added, as this would draw  additional people. She said that these                                                               
games  generate   the  organization's  largest  share   of  money                                                               
annually. An  increase in this  amount would translate  into more                                                               
money back  into the communities  supported by  her organization.                                                               
She said  she does not  see a  downside to increasing  the income                                                               
received from charitable gaming.                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
2:45:47 PM                                                                                                                    
ANGEL  WHITNEY,   Unity  Secretary,  American  Legion   Post  29,                                                               
Anchorage, Alaska,  testified in  support of  SB 146.  She shared                                                               
her  belief   that  nonprofits  would   thrive  and   thus  would                                                               
contribute more  to the community.  She stated that  e-tabs would                                                               
appeal to a  younger demographic but would  not decrease interest                                                               
in  paper  pull-tabs. She  commented  that  electronic gaming  is                                                               
reliable  and  shared  her  belief  that  profits  and  community                                                               
engagement would increase.                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
2:47:16 PM                                                                                                                    
SANDY  POWERS,  President,  Alaska  Charitable  Gaming  Alliance,                                                               
Anchorage, Alaska,  testified with concerns  on SB 146.  She said                                                               
that she  is unable to find  a cost comparison for  e-tabs versus                                                               
paper pull-tabs.  She expressed concerns regarding  the addictive                                                               
nature of e-tab  machines. She noted that  Alaska currently ranks                                                               
47th  for gambling  addiction and  pointed out  that states  that                                                               
allow e-tabs are in the top 25 for gambling addiction.                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
2:49:33 PM                                                                                                                    
CHAIR BJORKMAN held public testimony on  SB 146 open [and held SB
146 in committee].                                                                                                              

Document Name Date/Time Subjects
SB146 ver A.PDF SL&C 3/13/2024 1:30:00 PM
SB 146
SB146 Transmittal Letter 05.09.23.pdf SL&C 3/13/2024 1:30:00 PM
SB 146
SB146 Sectional Analysis.pdf SL&C 3/13/2024 1:30:00 PM
SB 146
SB146 Fiscal Note-DOR-TAX-05-09-23.pdf SL&C 3/13/2024 1:30:00 PM
SB 146
SB219 v. A.pdf SL&C 3/13/2024 1:30:00 PM
SL&C 4/8/2024 1:30:00 PM
SB 219
SB219 Sponsor Statement.pdf SL&C 3/13/2024 1:30:00 PM
SL&C 4/8/2024 1:30:00 PM
SB 219
SB219 Sectional Analysis v. A.pdf SL&C 3/13/2024 1:30:00 PM
SL&C 4/8/2024 1:30:00 PM
SB 219
SB219 Fiscal Note-DCCED-DOI-03.08.24.pdf SL&C 3/13/2024 1:30:00 PM
SL&C 4/8/2024 1:30:00 PM
SB 219
SB219 Supporting Documents-Prior Authorization Issue Brief.pdf SL&C 3/13/2024 1:30:00 PM
SB 219
SB219 Supporting Documents-RRC Survey Data.pdf SL&C 3/13/2024 1:30:00 PM
SB 219
SB219 Supporting Documents-AMA Survey Data.pdf SL&C 3/13/2024 1:30:00 PM
SB 219
SB219 Supporting Documents-State Law Chart.pdf SL&C 3/13/2024 1:30:00 PM
SB 219
SB219 Public Testimony-Letter of Opposition-Premera 02.12.24.pdf SL&C 3/13/2024 1:30:00 PM
SB 219
SB219 Public Testimony-Letter of Opposition-AHIP 03.08.24.pdf SL&C 3/13/2024 1:30:00 PM
SB 219
SB219 Public Testimony-Letter of Opposition-AETNA 02.15.24.pdf SL&C 3/13/2024 1:30:00 PM
SB 219
SB219 Public Testimony-Letter of Support-AHHA 02.07.24.pdf SL&C 3/13/2024 1:30:00 PM
SB 219
SB219 Public Testimony-Letter of Support-ANTHC 02.28.24.pdf SL&C 3/13/2024 1:30:00 PM
SB 219
SB219 Public Testimony-Letter of Support-MSRMC 02.21.24.pdf SL&C 3/13/2024 1:30:00 PM
SB 219
SB219 Public Testimony-Letter of Support-Providence 02.27.24.pdf SL&C 3/13/2024 1:30:00 PM
SB 219
SB146 Presentation to SLAC 03.13.24.pdf SL&C 3/13/2024 1:30:00 PM
SB 146
SB219 Public Testimony-Community Oncology Alliance 03.13.24.pdf SL&C 3/13/2024 1:30:00 PM
SB 219
SB146 Combined Public Testimony as of 03.11.24.pdf SL&C 3/13/2024 1:30:00 PM
SB 146
SB146 Presentation by Mary Magnuson to SLAC 03.13.24.pdf SL&C 3/13/2024 1:30:00 PM
SB 146