BILL ANALYSIS                                                                                                                                                                                                    Ó



                                                                  AB 654
                                                                  Page  1

          Date of Hearing:   April 10, 2013

                   ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATION
                                 Isadore Hall, Chair
                     AB 654 (Hall) - As Amended:  March 19, 2013
           
          SUBJECT  :   Gambling.

           SUMMARY  :   Requires the Gaming Policy Advisory Committee (GPAC)  
          to meet at least twice a year and would require the California  
          Gambling Control Commission (CGCC) to consult with the GPAC on  
          recommended proposed regulations, as specified. 

           EXISTING LAW  

          1)Establishes within the Gambling Control Act (Act) a regulatory  
            framework for gaming in California, creating the CGCC with the  
            authority to approve, deny, revoke, or suspend gambling  
            licenses and permits for reasonable cause.

          2)Establishes a 10-member GPAC, composed of representatives of  
            controlled gambling licensees and members of the general  
            public in equal numbers.

          3)Requires the executive director of the CGCC to convene the  
            GPAC, from time to time, for the purpose of discussing  
            recommended controlled gambling regulatory policy.

          4)Provides that the GPAC may not advise the CGCC on Indian  
            gaming. 

           FISCAL EFFECT  :   Unknown

           COMMENTS  :   

           Purpose of the bill  : This measure seeks to revitalize the GPAC  
          by ensuring that the committee holds periodic meetings and  
          requires the CGCC to consult with the committee on recommended  
          proposed regulations. This bill will reiterate in statue the  
          path of communication for card club operators to discuss  
          pertinent issues.

          AB 654 will make the GPAC more relevant to the CGCC, gaming  
          industry, and the public at large. The CGCC is responsible for  
          appointing and constituting the GPAC. Yet, under current law,  








                                                                  AB 654
                                                                  Page  2

          there is no requirement that the GPAC meet. This bill would make  
          it easier for the CGCC to constitute the committee and provide  
          that it meets at least twice a year.  

           Prior Legislation  :

          AB 1290 (Lara), 2011-2012 Legislative Session. Similar to this  
          bill, AB 1290 (Lara) would have required the GPAC to meet twice  
          a year. AB 1290 was amended on the Senate floor to provide that  
          in the case of a card club that is owned directly or indirectly  
          by a "racetrack limited partnership owner," the licensing  
          requirements of the Act shall apply only to the following and no  
          other person or entity shall be required to be licensed. (Held  
          on the inactive file on the Senate Floor)

           REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION  :   

           Support 
           
          None on file

           Opposition 
           
          None on file
           
          Analysis Prepared by  :    Felipe Lopez / G. O. / (916) 319-2531