DEF. OF VETS' ORGANIZATION:

INCLUDE AUXILIARY

Senate Bill 108

Sponsor:  Sen. Roger Kahn, M.D.

House Committee:  Regulatory Reform

Senate Committee:  Economic Development and Regulatory Reform

Complete to 5-19-09

A SUMMARY OF SENATE BILL 108 AS PASSED BY THE SENATE 3-19-09

The bill would amend the Bingo Act to include in the definition of “veterans’ organization,” for the purposes of charitable gaming, an auxiliary of a national, federally-chartered veterans’ organization.

Under provisions of the Bingo Act, certain organizations can be licensed to engage in charitable gaming, such as bingo games, millionaire parties, and raffles.  Currently, “qualified organizations” include a veterans’ organization that operates without profit to its members and that either has been in existence continuously as an organization for five years or is tax-exempt under Section 501(c) of the federal Internal Revenue Code.  “Veterans’ organization” means an organization within Michigan, or a branch, lodge, or chapter within the state of a state organization or of a national organization chartered by the U.S. Congress, that is not organized for pecuniary profit, whose membership consists of individuals who were members of the armed services or armed forces of the United States.

Senate Bill 108 would amend the Traxler-McCauley-Law-Bowman Bingo Act (MCL 432.103) to include in the definition of “veterans’ organization” an auxiliary of a veterans’ organization that is a national organization chartered by the Congress of the United States.  (For example, the proposed definition would include auxiliaries of the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars.)

FISCAL IMPACT:

Senate Bill 108 would have no fiscal impact to the State of Michigan or local units of government.

                                                                                           Legislative Analyst:   Susan Stutzky

                                                                                                  Fiscal Analyst:   Viola Bay Wild

■ This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan House staff for use by House members in their deliberations, and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.