BILL NUMBER: AB 1437	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Gray

                        FEBRUARY 27, 2015

   An act to amend Section 19954 of the Business and Professions
Code, relating to gaming, and declaring the urgency thereof, to take
effect immediately.



	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 1437, as introduced, Gray. Gambling addiction.
   Existing law, the Gambling Control Act, provides for the licensure
and regulation of various legalized gambling activities and
establishments by the California Gambling Control Commission and the
investigation and enforcement of those activities and establishments
by the Department of Justice. Existing law establishes the Gambling
Control Fund within the State Treasury for the receipt and deposit of
fees and revenue collected pursuant to the act. Under the act,
specified licensing fees are required to be paid for the issuance or
renewal of a state gambling license, as specified. Existing law
requires each licensee to pay an additional $100 for each table for
which it is licensed to the State Department of Public Health for
deposit in the Gambling Addiction Program Fund, and requires these
funds to be available, upon appropriation by the Legislature, to
community-based organizations that directly provide aid and
assistance to those persons with a gambling addiction problem.
   This bill would instead require each licensee to pay an additional
$150 for each table for which it is licensed to the State Department
of Public Health for deposit in the Gambling Addiction Program Fund.

   This bill would declare that it is to take effect immediately as
an urgency statute.
   Vote: 2/3. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: no. State-mandated
local program: no.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  SECTION 1.  Section 19954 of the Business and Professions Code is
amended to read:
   19954.  In addition to those fees required pursuant to Section
19951, each licensee shall pay an additional one hundred  fifty
 dollars  ($100)   ($150)  for each
table for which it is licensed to the State Department of Public
Health for deposit in the Gambling Addiction Program Fund, which is
hereby established to benefit those who have a gambling addiction
problem. These funds shall be made available, upon appropriation by
the Legislature, to community-based organizations that directly
provide aid and assistance to those persons with a gambling addiction
problem.
  SEC. 2.  This act is an urgency statute necessary for the immediate
preservation of the public peace, health, or safety within the
meaning of Article IV of the Constitution and shall go into immediate
effect. The facts constituting the necessity are:
   In order to protect, at the earliest possible time, the interests
of Californians who have, or whose lives are affected by, a gambling
addiction problem, it is necessary that this act take effect
immediately.