SLS 16RS-597 ORIGINAL
2016 Regular Session
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOL UTION NO. 17
BY SENATOR JOHNS
GAMING. Creates the Riverboat Economic Development and Gaming Task Force.
1 A CONCURRENT RESOL UTION
2 To create the Riverboat Economic Development and Gaming Task Force to study current
3 law and existing rules and regulations regarding riverboat gaming.
4 WHEREAS, the Louisiana Riverboat Economic Development and Gaming Control
5 Act was enacted in 1991; and
6 WHEREAS, riverboat casinos have been operating in Louisiana for more than a
7 decade and much of the controlling laws and regulations have never been updated to reflect
8 changes in the market and gaming environment; and
9 WHEREAS, since 2000, riverboat gaming has generated in excess of $27 billion in
10 revenue and nearly $6 billion in fees for state and local governments; and
11 WHEREAS, riverboat gaming acts as an economic generator providing employment
12 to more than 20,000 employees and maintains a payroll in excess of $348 million; and
13 WHEREAS, riverboat gaming has provided in excess of $100 million to minority and
14 female owned businesses; and
15 WHEREAS, riverboat casinos invested more than $45 million in capital
16 improvements in fiscal years 2013-2014 and 2014-2015; and
17 WHEREAS, riverboat gaming is an established and highly regulated industry that
18 provides $406 million to the state in franchise fees and more than $105 million to local
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1 government through property taxes and local fees; and
2 WHEREAS, it is imperative a representative group of experts be convened to
3 conduct a thorough analysis of the riverboat gaming regulatory environment to ensure
4 Louisiana remains competitive in the finite entertainment and tourist market.
5 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
6 create the Riverboat Economic Development and Gaming Task Force to study current law
7 and existing rules and regulations regarding riverboat gaming, to conduct public meetings
8 at a date, time, and location to be determined by the chairman, and to hear testimony,
9 comments, and input of interested parties.
10 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force shall be chaired by the chairman
11 of the Louisiana Gaming Control Board and shall be composed of the following members:
12 (1) The chairman of the House Committee on Administration of Criminal Justice.
13 (2) The chairman of the Senate Committee on Judiciary B.
14 (3) The president of the Senate or his designee.
15 (4) The speaker of the House of Representatives or his designee.
16 (5) The governor or his designee.
17 (6) The superintendent of the Louisiana State Police or his designee.
18 (7) The secretary of Louisiana Department of Economic Development or his
19 designee.
20 (8) The attorney general or his designee.
21 (9) The lieutenant governor or his designee.
22 (10) A representative of the riverboat gaming industry as designated by the governor.
23 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that at the conclusion of its meetings, the task force
24 shall prepare a written report to be presented to the House Committee on Administration of
25 Criminal Justice and the Senate Committee on Judiciary B no later than sixty days prior to
26 the beginning of the 2018 Regular Session that shall include, but not be limited to,
27 recommendations on the following:
28 (1) Changes to current law or rules and regulations which would generate and
29 promote continued economic development by riverboat gaming licensees.
30 (2) Changes to current law or rules and regulations which would provide for greater
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1 safety for visitors and employees of riverboat casinos.
2 (3) Changes to current law or rules and regulations which would encourage increased
3 capital reinvestment by riverboat gaming licensees.
4 (4) Changes to current law or rules and regulations which would improve and
5 enhance the regulation of riverboat gaming licensees.
6 (5) Changes to current law or rules and regulation which would make Louisiana
7 riverboat casinos more competitive with gaming enterprises in nearby jurisdictions.
8 (6) Any other issues relevant to the task force.
9 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the chairman of the Louisiana Gaming Control
10 Board shall coordinate with the attorney general and the superintendent of the Louisiana
11 State Police in the assignment of staff as may be necessary to assist the task force in
12 performing its duties and preparing its report.
13 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
14 chairman of the House Committee on Administration of Criminal Justice, the chairman of
15 the Senate Committee on Judiciary B, the president of the Senate, the speaker of the House
16 of Representatives, the governor, the lieutenant governor, the attorney general, the
17 superintendent of the Louisiana State Police, and the secretary of the Louisiana Department
18 of Economic Development.
The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument, were prepared by Ashley E. Menou.
DIGEST
SCR 17 Original 2016 Regular Session Johns
Creates the Riverboat Economic Development and Gaming Task Force to study current law
and existing rules and regulations regarding riverboat gaming.
Requires a report offering recommendations to promote continued economic development
for the riverboat casino industry from the task force to the House Committee on
Administration of Criminal Justice and the Senate Committee on Judiciary B be submitted
no later than 60 days prior to the 2018 Regular Session.
Provides that the task force shall consist of the following:
(1)Chair of the La. Gaming Control board who will serve as chair of the task force.
(2)Chair of the House Committee on Administration of Criminal Justice.
(3)Chair of the Senate Committee on Judiciary B.
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(4)Senate president or his designee.
(5)House speaker or his designee.
(6)Governor or his designee.
(7)Superintendent of state police or his designee.
(8)Secretary of LED or his designee.
(9)Attorney general or his designee.
(10)Lt. governor or his designee.
(11)A representative of the riverboat gaming industry designated by the governor.
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