HB 168: MULTIPLE PERMITEE GAMING; PRIZE AMOUNTS REP. CARL MOSES, PRIME SPONSOR of HB 168, read the following sponsor statement to the committee: "This bill attempts to clarify what is inherently permissible in statute and would create a new charitable gaming permit called a `Multiple-beneficiary' permit. Under this permit, two to six qualified organizations would be allowed to apply jointly for the multiple- beneficiary permit. With this permit, the holders could conduct as many games and sessions as allowed under law for individual permit holders multiplied by the number of holders of the multiple-beneficiary permit. Currently, Lucky Strike Bingo of Anchorage operates under this configuration. Lucky Strike consists of four qualified organizations who join together to conduct gaming activity without the use of an operator. Other organizations such as church groups, soccer clubs, Native corporations and other non-profits that choose to join together in this fashion without the use of an operator will also benefit from this legislation. The motivation behind this bill surfaced a few years ago when the Department of Commerce proposed, but did not adopt, regulations that would prohibit activities such as those conducted by Lucky Strike. In response to that situation, Senate Bill 6 was introduced in 1991 that would establish a multiple-beneficiary permit. SB 6 was not passed due to a shortage of time in the session on the Senate Floor. HB 168 is a reintroduction of SB 6. It is a non- controversial gaming measure and I would appreciate the committee's affirmative action." Number 075 REP. PORTER asked if the bill would change the provisions for operators. Number 088 JOHN HANSEN, GAMING MANAGER, DIVISION OF OCCUPATIONAL LICENSING, answered that HB 168 in effect states in law what is already practiced under the current regulations. CCHAIRMAN HUDSON asked if the department supported this bill. MR. HANSEN replied yes. REP. PORTER asked for more detail on how this bill would affect operators. MR. HANSEN noted that it does not affect operators. REP. PORTER asked if the requirements governing operators would be avoided by allowing permit holders to conduct the gaming themselves. MR. HANSEN replied that the same restrictions apply to both. (Reps. Mackie and Mulder joined the committee.) Number 154 REP. GREEN asked if this bill was for non-profits. MR. HANSEN replied that the gaming division issues permits to many organizations, some of which are non-profits, but the majority of them are not. Number 240 ELSIE O'BRIEN, HOUSTON SENIOR CENTER, testified in support of HB 168. Ms. O'Brien stated that the bill would give more options than are currently recognized in statute. Ms. O'Brien provided the committee with some statistics regarding costs and profits. (This information is in the committee file.) Number 261 (Rep. Williams joined the committee at 3:22 p.m.) Number 280 SAM KITO, representing the ALEUTIAN/PRIBILOF ISLANDS ASSOCIATION, INC., presented to the committee the written comments on HB 168 from Dimitri Philemonof, Executive Director of the Association. (The written statement is on file in the committee room.) Number 327 DOROTHY HILL, WASILLA SENIORS, testified that her organization likes the idea of leasing the permit out as they do not feel capable of running the gaming, but they like the money they receive from the operator. Number 345 REP. MACKIE moved for passage of HB 168 with individual recommendations, one fiscal note, and unanimous consent. No objections were noted, it was so ordered. Number 382