This bill establishes a Charitable Gaming Oversight Commission, which will consist of seven voting members and nine non-voting members. The voting members include representatives from the Senate and House Ways and Means Committees, as well as additional members appointed by the Senate President and House Speaker. The non-voting members will include citizens with no financial interest in charitable gaming, representatives of gaming operators and charities, and officials from the lottery commission and attorney general's office. The commission is tasked with reviewing charitable gaming laws, including historical horse race gaming, and making recommendations for legislative changes, particularly focusing on issues such as problem gambling and the allocation of funds.
Additionally, the bill extends the commission's existence by ten years, changing the effective date for its repeal from July 1, 2025, to July 1, 2035. It also appropriates $100,000 from the general fund to support the commission's work through the biennium ending June 30, 2027. The commission is required to submit annual reports to the general court, starting on November 1, 2026, detailing its findings and recommendations. The bill aims to enhance oversight and regulation of charitable gaming activities in the state.