BILL ANALYSIS SB 1090 Page 1 SENATE THIRD READING SB 1090 (Cedillo) As Amended August 17, 2010 Majority vote SENATE VOTE : 32-0 GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATION 21-0 ----------------------------------------------------------------- |Ayes:|Coto, Anderson, Blakeslee, | | | | |Chesbro, Cook, De Leon, | | | | |Evans, Hall, Hernandez, Hill, | | | | |Jeffries, Lieu, Ma, Mendoza, | | | | |Nestande, | | | | |V. Manuel Perez, Portantino, | | | | |Silva, Torres, Torrico, Tran | | | |-----+------------------------------+-----+----------------------| | | | | | ----------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY : Modifies the model ordinance language contained in the Remote Caller Bingo Act of 2008 (Act). Specifically, this bill : 1)Allows an organization to file, along with its application to the local licensing official to operate a bingo game, "appropriate documentation" instead of "a certificate issued by the Franchise Tax Board (FTB)" to demonstrate that the applicant is an eligible tax exempt organization authorized to operate a remote caller bingo game. 2)Increases the number of nights that a remote caller bingo contest would be conducted from one night to two nights a week, thus, placing the statute into conformity with the language contained in the model ordinance statute under existing law. 3)Makes relating technical changes. EXISTING LAW : 1)Provides, in the California Constitution, Article IV, Section 19 (c) that the Legislature, by statute, may authorize cities and counties to allow for the play of bingo games, but only for charitable purposes. SB 1090 Page 2 2)Permits cities, counties, and cities and counties to allow remote caller bingo games to be conducted by specified tax exempt and non-profit organizations for charitable purposes, subject to provisions of law which, if violated, constitute a crime. 3)Authorizes specified tax-exempt and non-profit organizations that have been incorporated or in existence for three years or more and that are not organized for the primary purpose of operating bingo to conduct remote caller bingo games no more than one day per week. 4)Defines a "remote caller bingo game" as a game of bingo in which numbers or symbols on randomly drawn plastic balls are announced by a person present at the site at which the live game is conducted, and audio and video technology links in-state facilities for the purpose of transmitting the remote calling of a live bingo game from a single location to multiple locations. 5)Requires remote caller bingo games to be played using traditional paper or other tangible bingo cards and daubers, and shall not be played by using electronic devices, except card-minding devices. 6)Requires an authorized organization to provide the California Gambling Control Commission (CGCC) with at least 30 days advanced written notice of its intent to conduct remote caller bingo games, and submit specified information about the organizations, locations, vendors, and licensees involved in the operation of the games, as well as, a copy of the local ordinance for the counties in which the games will be played. 7)Contains "permissive model ordinance" language which local jurisdictions may adopt to authorize remote caller bingo. FISCAL EFFECT : This bill is keyed non-fiscal. COMMENTS : In 2008, the Legislature passed, and the Governor signed into law, the Act (SB 1369, Cedillo and Battin, Chapter 748, Statutes of 2008), which allows qualified non-profits to operate "remote caller" bingo games. Once the Act was chaptered, technical errors and omissions were SB 1090 Page 3 identified by the CGCC. Charities have also raised issues as they organize themselves to apply and conduct the game. According to the author, this bill is intended to clean-up language and fine-tune implementation issues that have arisen as charities and local governments take steps toward authorizing and conducting the games. Analysis Prepared by : Rod Brewer / G. O. / (916) 319-2531 FN: 0006146