CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 44(FIN) am An Act relating to reporting by permittees, licensees, and vendors; relating to municipal regulation of charitable gaming; providing that a political group is not a qualified organization for purposes of charitable gaming, other than raffles, and relating to those raffles; relating to identification to the public of each permittee that will benefit from the sale of each pull-tab series and each bingo session; providing that the proceeds from charitable gaming, other than certain raffles conducted by a political organization, may not be contributed to a political party or other political group; and providing for an effective date. Co-chairman Halford directed that CSHB 44(Fin) am be brought on for discussion and directed attention to SCS CSHB 44(STA). TOM ANDERSON, aide to Representative Martin, came before committee. He explained that under the proposed bill political permittees would not be allowed. No political organization or group may hold a charitable gaming permit. The bill continues to allow remaining, non-political permittees to contribute and donate to candidates, but distribution of such funds has been tightened. Political groups may continue to obtain raffle permits. Mr. Anderson urged passage of the bill with proposed amendments. DENNIS POSHARD, Director, Charitable Gaming Division, Dept. of Revenue, next came before committee to speak to the technicalities of the bill. Co-chairman Halford directed attention to Amendments 1, 2, and 3. Duplicate amendments contained within a packet of information highlighting differences between House and Senate versions of the bill and the three amendments logged-in and stamped for distribution to committee caused temporary confusion. The meeting was recessed for review and comparison of the amendments. RECESS The meeting was recessed at 4:50 p.m. and did not reconvene on this date.