BILL ANALYSIS                                                                                                                                                                                                    Ó



                                                                  AB 654
                                                                  Page  1

          Date of Hearing:   May 1, 2013

                        ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
                                  Mike Gatto, Chair

                     AB 654 (Hall) - As Amended:  March 19, 2013 

          Policy Committee:                              Governmental  
          Organization Vote:                            17 - 0 

          Urgency:     No                   State Mandated Local Program:  
          No     Reimbursable:              

           SUMMARY  

          This bill requires the Gaming Policy Advisory Committee (GPAC)  
          to meet at least twice a year, and requires the California  
          Gambling Control Commission (CGCC) to consult with the GPAC on  
          proposed regulations.

           FISCAL EFFECT  

          Costs to GCC would be insignificant and absorbable within  
          existing resources. 

           COMMENTS  

           1)Purpose  . According to the author, this measure seeks to  
            revitalize the Gaming Policy Advisory Committee by ensuring  
            that the committee actually holds meetings, and requires the  
            GCC to consult with the committee on recommended proposed  
            regulations.  This bill will reiterate in statute the path of  
            communication for card club operators and regulators to  
            discuss pertinent issues.

            The author hopes that this bill will make the GPAC more  
            relevant to the GCC, gaming industry, and the public at large.  
             The GCC is responsible for appointing and constituting the  
            Advisory Committee.  Yet, under current law, there is no  
            requirement that GPAC meet.  In fact, the committee has not  
            met for more than two years.  This bill would make it easier  
            for the GCC to constitute the committee and provides that it  
            meets at least twice a year.

           2)Related Legislation  . AB 1290 (Lara) in 2011 was similar to  








                                                                  AB 654
                                                                  Page  2

            this bill. AB 1290 was amended on the Senate floor to pertain  
            to a different subject matter and was subsequently held on the  
            Senate's inactive file. 


           Analysis Prepared by  :    Julie Salley-Gray / APPR. / (916)  
          319-2081