BILL ANALYSIS Ó AB 701 Page 1 ASSEMBLY THIRD READING AB 701 (Cristina Garcia) As Introduced February 25, 2015 Majority vote -------------------------------------------------------------------- |Committee |Votes |Ayes |Noes | | | | | | | | | | | |----------------+------+-----------------------+--------------------| |Governmental |21-0 |Gray, Linder, | | |Organization | |Achadjian, Alejo, | | | | |Bigelow, Campos, | | | | |Cooley, Cooper, Daly, | | | | |Cristina Garcia, | | | | |Eduardo Garcia, | | | | |Gipson, | | | | |Roger Hernández, | | | | |Jones-Sawyer, Levine, | | | | |Mayes, Perea, Salas, | | | | |Steinorth, Waldron, | | | | |Wilk | | | | | | | |----------------+------+-----------------------+--------------------| |Appropriations |16-0 |Gomez, Bigelow, Bonta, | | | | |Calderon, Chang, Daly, | | | | |Eggman, Gallagher, | | | | |Eduardo Garcia, | | | | |Holden, Jones, Quirk, | | | | |Rendon, Wagner, Weber, | | | | |Wood | | AB 701 Page 2 | | | | | | | | | | -------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: Makes modifications to an existing provision of the Gambling Control Act (Act) pertaining to the Gaming Policy Advisory Committee (GPAC). Specifically, this bill: 1)Increase the membership of GPAC from 10 to 12 members. 2)Requires GPAC to be composed of five representatives of controlled gambling licensees, five members of the general public, and two representatives from the California Department of Justice's Bureau of Gambling Control (DOJ). EXISTING LAW: 1)Establishes within the Act a regulatory framework for gaming in California, creating the California Gambling Control Commission (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 AB 701 Page 3 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 matters of controlled gambling regulatory policy and any other relevant gambling-related issue. 4)Provides that the GPAC may not advise the CGCC on Indian gaming. FISCAL EFFECT: According to the Assembly Appropriations Committee, minor and absorbable costs to CGCC and DOJ. COMMENTS: Purpose of the bill: According to the author's office, this measure is intended to take important steps to encourage state policies, laws and regulations concerning card clubs that will support job creation and increase economic activity. In addition, this bill will reiterate in statute the path of communication for card club operators and regulators to discuss pertinent issues. This bill is intended to make the GPAC more relevant to the CGCC, AB 701 Page 4 gaming industry, and the public at large. According to the author, this bill will codify the involvement of the DOJ on GPAC. The input of both DOJ and CGCC has proven to be very beneficial in determining the scope and authority of GPAC and in advising on upcoming issues to be considered by the committee. In addition, by expanding the membership to include two additional seats, this bill will also allow for greater representation from the public and law enforcement representatives. Background: GPAC Mission Statement: The stated mission statement for GPAC is to provide advisory recommendations to the CGCC concerning matters of controlled gaming regulatory policy and other relevant gambling related issues, with special attention to guaranteeing the integrity of gambling operations and to deal effectively with problem gambling. Current make-up of GPAC: One member is a representative of DOJ, one member is a representative of the problem gambling field, one member is a representative of a licensed or registered Third Party Provider of Proposition Player Services, two members are a representative of larger (25 tables or more) licensed gambling establishments, two members are a representative of small (less than 25 tables) licensed gambling establishments, one member is a law enforcement officer/investigator from local government where an approved ordinance allows controlled gaming, one member is a professional with an accounting background and one member is a AB 701 Page 5 member of the general public at large. It should be noted, that the CGCC is responsible for appointing and constituting GPAC yet, under current law, there is no requirement that GPAC meet. Analysis Prepared by: Eric Johnson / G.O. / (916) 319-2531 FN: 0000323