2004 SESSION BILLS PROPOSED
The following are Proposed Bills that are currently alive in the 2004 Legislative Session. You can be assured that your professional FGA lobbying team is ever vigilant and your interests are being represented and protected as these bills creep along.
We will attempt to keep everyone as informed as possible on this web site. Further questions or information, contact the FGA at 1-800-883-8046.
Senate Bill - sb0176c1 - Companion Bill - H 0941
(Direct Link to Proposed Bill)
Senate Bill - sb0176c1 - Companion Bill - H 0941
BILL SUMMARY
The bill requires and specifies the criteria by which greyhound-racing permit holders are to provide information at each dogracing facility concerning the adoption of a greyhound. Each dogracing permitholder operating a facility in this state must provide for a greyhound adoption booth at the facility to be operated on weekends.
The bill requires that the racing program contain adoption information and identify greyhounds in a race that will become available for adoption. The permitholder is authorized to hold an additional charity day, designated as “Greyhound Adopt-A-Pet Day,” and use the profits from the charity day to fund activities promoting greyhound adoptions. It provides for penalties for violating the section. The bill defines the term “bona fide organization that promotes or encourages the adoption of greyhounds” and requires as a condition of adoption that such organization provide sterilization of greyhounds by a licensed veterinarian before relinquishing custody of the greyhound to the adopter.
This bill creates an unnumbered section of the Florida Statutes and amends ss. 550.1647, of the Florida Statutes.
03/03/04 SENATE: Withdrawn from Appropriations -SJ 00184; Placed on Calendar, and is on second reading
Senate 1086: Relating to Cardrooms (Similar H 1213)
(Direct Link to Proposed Bill)
S1086 GENERAL BILL/CS by Regulated Industries; Geller; (Co_Sponsors) Fasano (Similar H 1213)
Summary: Adds Tournaments and High Stake Dominos to the exisiting card rooms
Senate 2878: Relating to Greyhound Racing
(Direct Link to Proposed Bill)
Senate Bill - S2878 - Companion Bill - NON Now
BILL SUMMARY
S2878 GENERAL BILL by Cowin Greyhound Racing; requires Pari-mutuel Wagering Division in DBPR to maintain certain records re injuries & disposition of greyhounds; provides guidelines & requirements for injury & disposition report forms; provides for adoption of rules; provides penalties. Amends 550.2415. EFFECTIVE DATE: 07/01/2004. 03/02/04 SENATE Filed
This is a Grey2000 sponsored Bill. It does not have a House campanion Bill at this stage of the game and was attempted during the 2003 Legislative Session. It possibly will die this Session but with the Animals Rights movement, we can certainly expect it to be an issue in the next Session and thereafter.
At this stage of the game, it bears us keeping an eye on it. But the Bill would put a tremendous responsibility of the Division of Pari_Mutuel Wagering and would certainly not be cost effective.
VLT LEGISLATION
Senate 2634: Relating to Video Lotteries
(Direct Link to Proposed Bill)
S2634 GENERAL BILL by Bullard (Linked S 2356, S 2358, Similar H 1547, S 2354, Compare H 1575, H 1595)
Senate 2354: Relating to Video Lotteries (Direct Link to Proposed Bill)
Senate 2354: Relating to Video Lotteries
S2354 GENERAL BILL by Geller (Linked S 2356, S 2358, Similar H 1547, S 2634, Compare H 1575, H 1595)
SENATE SUMMARY
Establishes the regulation of video lotteries and defines essential components of the video lottery, including games, terminal, vendor, net terminal income, and retailer. Provides that the Department of the Lottery must have Video Lottery Terminals in place by October 1, 2004.
Provides for duties of the department in regulating video lottery licenseers and collecting revenue. Provides for emergency rulemaking on the regulation of the retailers, specifications for terminals, and the regulation of vendors. Provides for minimum age of 18 to operate video games and the placing of appropriate signage. Provides for the location of operation for video lottery games to be at the retailer's pari-mutuel facility. Specifies that the retailer must have conducted a full schedule of live racing or games in the prior year or be authorized to receive broadcasts of horse races.
Gives the department authority to suspend and fine any noncompliant retailer and gives the retailer authority to determine the number of terminals, dates and hours of play, mix of games available, utilization of the type of currency, location and movement of terminals on the premises, staffing, and minimum and maximum betting amounts with the range of 88 percent and 95 percent.
Provides that the department may grant a greater payout percentage provided that the total annual payout of the facility is not greater than 95 percent. Provides for the allocation of net terminal income with 42 percent going to Education; .75 percent going to the Administrative Trust Fund; with 25 percent of the .75 percent going to the Department of Children and Families for a compulsive gambling program; and 57.25 percent going for compensation for the permitholders, less 8.25 percent of the net terminal income going for purses.
Provides for criminal penalties for intentional manipulation of the terminals and for the licensure of video lottery terminal vendors. Provides that a Video Lottery Terminal will not change the character of the pari-mutuel facility for local zoning purposes. Provides for requirements for the terminals and for a terminal training program.
Requires signage alerting contact for gambling problems. Provides for a caterer's license when Video Lottery Terminals are operating. Requires pari-mutuel permitholders to pay an annual $2 million fee in order to be a video lottery retailer. Requires that the $2 million fee be deposited into the Educational Enhancement Trust Fund and be available to be bonded for school capital facilities construction. Credits the $2 million annual fee back to the permitholder out of the Video Lottery Administration Trust Fund on a weekly basis until the total $2 million is credited. Provides that weekly credits may not exceed $100,000 per week, per permitholder.
Allows a pari-mutuel permitholder who applied for a pari-mutuel permit between January 1, 2004 and March 1, 2004, and has conducted a full schedule of live races or games to apply to be a video lottery retailer once the permit is granted.
Senate 2356: Relating to Video Lotteries (Direct Link to Proposed Bill)
Senate 2356: Relating to Video Lottery Administrative TF
S2356 TRUST FUND/GENERAL BILL by Geller (Linked S 2354, S 2634, Similar H 1575, Compare H 1547)
SENATE SUMMARY Creates the Video Lottery Administrative Trust Fund to be administered by the Department of the Lottery. Requires funds credited to the trust fund to be used for the purpose of implementing the distribution of proceeds from video lottery games. Provides for retention of balances and provides for review and termination of the trust fund.
Senate 2358: Relating to Video Lottery Purse Trust Fund (Direct Link to Proposed Bill)
S2358 TRUST FUND/GENERAL BILL by Geller (Linked S 2354, S 2634, Similar H 1595, Compare H 1547)
SENATE SUMMARY Creates the Video Lottery Trust Fund within the Department of Business and Professional Regulation. Provides for funding, annual carryforward of funds, and future review.
Horse Industry Stirring Pot
An amendment that would rewrite the state's pari-mutuel laws surfaced last week in Tallahassee. For a complete review of this legislation and lastest upday as of 4-19-04CLICK HERE!
Senate 2474: Relating to Legal Gambling
(Direct Link to Proposed Bill)
Tampa Bay Greyhound Association Turns
To Tallahassee And Legislature For Help In Settling
Financial Dispute With Tampa Track! CLICK HERE for a full report
Pari-Mutuel Bills Filed
Senate Bill - sb0176c1 - Companion Bill - H 0941
(Direct Link to Proposed Bill)
Senate 1086: Relating to Cardrooms (Similar H 1213)
(Direct Link to Proposed Bill)
Senate 2878: Relating to Greyhound Racing
(Direct Link to Proposed Bill)
Senate 2354: Relating to Video Lotteries (Direct Link to Proposed Bill)
Senate 2356: Relating to Video Lotteries (Direct Link to Proposed Bill)
Senate 2356: Relating to Video Lotteries (Direct Link to Proposed Bill)
Senate 2358: Relating to Video Lotteries (Direct Link to Proposed Bill)
FGA 2004 Bill Summary Site
Posted on Tue, Mar. 16, 2004 (Miami Herald)
LEGISLATURE 2004 | ADULT ARCADES
Mini-casinos targeted in proposed crackdown
Lawmakers are considering a crackdown on adult arcades by giving cities the power to restrict where and when such mini-casinos can operate.
CLICK HERE for Full Story