BILL ANALYSIS Ó AB 701 Page 1 Date of Hearing: April 15, 2015 ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS Jimmy Gomez, Chair AB 701 (Cristina Garcia) - As Introduced February 25, 2015 ----------------------------------------------------------------- |Policy |Governmental Organization |Vote:|21-0 | |Committee: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | ----------------------------------------------------------------- Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program: NoReimbursable: No SUMMARY: This bill modifies the Gambling Control Act to increase the membership of the Gaming Policy Advisory Committee (GPAC), an advisory committee to the Gambling Control Commission (GCC), from 10 to 12 members as well as prescribe the composition of the membership to be: 5 representatives of controlled gambling licensees; 5 representatives of the general public; and 2 representatives from the Department of Justice's Bureau of Gambling Control (DOJ). FISCAL EFFECT: AB 701 Page 2 Minor and absorbable costs to the GCC and DOJ. COMMENTS: 1)Purpose. According to the author, AB 701 is intended to improve communication and discussion of state policies, laws, and regulations concerning card clubs, which will in turn support job creation and increase economic activity. The author believes these committee changes will make GPAC more relevant to the GCC, gaming industry, and the public. 2)Gaming Policy Advisory Committee. The GPAC was created to provide advisory recommendations to the GCC concerning matters of controlled gaming regulatory policy and other relevant gambling-related issues, including the integrity of gambling operations and controlling problem gambling. The Gambling Control Act presently requires the GPAC to consist of 10 members, with 5 representatives from controlled gambling licensees and 5 representatives from the general public. Current GPAC membership includes one representative from the DOJ, one representative expert in problem gambling, one representative from law enforcement, one accountant, one other member of the public, and five representatives of controlled gambling licensees. Analysis Prepared by:Joel Tashjian / APPR. / (916) AB 701 Page 3 319-2081