SENATOR KELLY returned SS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 76 (CHARITABLE GAMING RESTRICTIONS) sponsored by SENATOR DRUE PEARCE to committee. SENATOR PEARCE asked KEN ERICKSON from her staff and JERRY LUCKHAUPT from Legislative Legal Counsel, to address the comparisons in the original bill and the sponsor substitute. MR. ERICKSON explained SB 76 contained two basic concepts, beginning with the first half of the bill which denies felons from activity in charitable gaming. The second half of the bill would prohibit direct contributions of net proceeds from charitable gaming to political candidates. MR. ERICKSON explained the sponsor substitute aimed to achieve the same ends, with the first half of the SS combining all of the felony exclusions into a single section, AS 05.15.105. He described these exclusions as being scattered throughout Title 5. The SS would delete the scattered sections and combine their intent into one section for the sake of clarity. MR. ERICKSON explained the second part of the SSSB 76 limits direct political contributions from net proceeds to activities other than bingo and pull-tabs. SENATOR PEARCE said there was presently a ban on classified and class A felons for life, and she explained the pertinent points. She said there had always been a ban on those convicted of "theft and dishonesty," but those convicted of a felony might be considered for resumption of gaming after 10 years. Number 054 SENATOR KELLY offered CHIP THOMA time for some quick testimony. MR. THOMA expressed his pleasure at the inclusion of white collar crime as a preclusion for being involved in gambling activities, since white collar crimes are those of dishonesty and theft. He protested, to his knowledge, any instance of a political party being involved with an operator who stole the proceeds from that political party, as has happen to many of the other charities. He continued to argue for allowing political parties full participation in gaming. SENATOR KELLY noted he had a list of occupations and licenses affected by felony convictions, and he thought the list prevented a person from getting a real job. SENATOR PEARCE moved to adopt CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 76(L&C) (CHARITABLE GAMING RESTRICTIONS). Without objections, so ordered. SENATOR PEARCE moved to pass CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 76(L&C) (CHARITABLE GAMING RESTRICTIONS) from committee with individual recommendations and the appropriate fiscal note. Without objections, so ordered.