BILL ANALYSIS Ó
AB 2218
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Date of Hearing: April 6, 2016
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATION
Adam Gray, Chair
AB 2218
(Burke) - As Introduced February 18, 2016
SUBJECT: Gambling: licenses
SUMMARY: This bill extends from 45 to 60 days the time after
receipt of an order by the Gambling Control Commission (CGCC)
within which a person must apply for a gambling license or a
finding of suitability.
EXISTING LAW:
1)The Gambling Control Act (Act) provides for the licensure of
certain individuals and establishments involved in various
gambling activities, and for the regulation of those
activities, by the CGCC.
2)Requires every person who is required to hold a state license
to obtain the license prior to engaging in the activity or
occupying the position with respect to which the license is
required, except as specified.
3)Requires every person who, by order of the CGC, is required to
apply for a gambling license or a finding of suitability to
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file an application within 45 calendar days after receipt of
the order.
FISCAL EFFECT: Unknown
COMMENTS:
Background : The Act provides the CGCC with jurisdiction over the
operation of gambling establishments in California. The Act
assigns the CGCC the responsibility of assuring that gambling
licenses are not issued to, or held by, unqualified or
disqualified persons, or by persons whose operations are
conducted in a manner that is harmful to the public health,
safety, or welfare. The Act directs the CGCC to issue licenses
only to those persons of good character, honesty and integrity,
whose prior activities, criminal record, if any; reputation,
habits and associations do not pose a threat to the public
interest of this state. The Department of Justice
Bureau of Gambling Control (DOJ or Bureau) conducts background
and field investigations and enforces the provisions of the Act
in this regard.
Purpose of the bill : According to the author, current law
authorizes the CGCC to require various employees of a card club
or persons holding an interest in a card club to come forward
for licensing. When the Commission calls an individual forward
to apply for a gaming license, that individual must file an
application for licensing, including all of the background
(including financial and other) information within 45 days.
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By extending the timeline to 60 days, AB 2218 allows individuals
subject to licensing additional time to put together the most
comprehensive document package possible, and ensures that the
Commission receives the most complete information from an
applicant up front, which will assist the CGCC and Bureau in
performing the necessary and thorough background investigations
in as timely a fashion.
Prior/Related Legislation : SB 472 (Hill) 2013-2014 Session
Chapter 760, Statutes of 2013. Requires every person who, by
order of the commission, is required to apply for a gambling
license or a finding of suitability to file an application
within 45 calendar days after receipt of the order.
AB 777 (Hall) 2011-2012 Session. Would have required every
person who is required to hold a state gaming license to obtain
the license before engaging in the activity or occupying the
position with respect to which the license is required. (Not
heard)
AB 2526 (Hall) 2011-2012 Session. Would have changed several
definitions within the Gambling Control Act, e.g., revised the
definition of a "key employee" to any person employed in the
operation of a gambling enterprise in a supervisory capacity or
empowered to make discretionary decisions with regard to the
gambling operations, (2) added surveillance managers and
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supervisors to the definition of "key employee" for licensing
purposes, etc. (Died, Senate Inactive File)
SB 730 (Florez), Chapter 438, Statutes of 2007. Made various
changes to the licensing and regulatory processes related to key
employees for gambling establishments under the Gambling Control
Act.
REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION:
Support
None on file
Opposition
None on file
Analysis Prepared by:Kenton Stanhope / G.O. / (916) 319-2531
AB 2218
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