2016 Regular Session ENROLLED
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOL UTION NO. 17
BY SENATOR JOHNS AND REPRESENTATIVES GLOVER, MARCELLE AND
NORTON
A CONCURRENT RESOL UTION
To create the Riverboat Economic Development and Gaming Task Force to study current
law and existing rules and regulations regarding riverboat gaming.
WHEREAS, the Louisiana Riverboat Economic Development and Gaming Control
Act was enacted in 1991; and
WHEREAS, riverboat casinos have been operating in Louisiana for more than a
decade and much of the controlling laws and regulations have never been updated to reflect
changes in the market and gaming environment; and
WHEREAS, since 2000, riverboat gaming has generated in excess of $27 billion in
revenue and nearly $6 billion in fees for state and local governments; and
WHEREAS, riverboat gaming acts as an economic generator providing employment
to more than 20,000 employees and maintains a payroll in excess of $348 million; and
WHEREAS, riverboat gaming has provided in excess of $100 million to minority and
female owned businesses; and
WHEREAS, riverboat casinos invested more than $45 million in capital
improvements in fiscal years 2013-2014 and 2014-2015; and
WHEREAS, riverboat gaming is an established and highly regulated industry that
provides $406 million to the state in franchise fees and more than $105 million to local
government through property taxes and local fees; and
WHEREAS, it is imperative a representative group of experts be convened to
conduct a thorough analysis of the riverboat gaming regulatory environment to ensure
Louisiana remains competitive in the finite entertainment and tourist market.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
create the Riverboat Economic Development and Gaming Task Force to study current law
and existing rules and regulations regarding riverboat gaming, to conduct public meetings
at a date, time, and location to be determined by the chairman, and to hear testimony,
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comments, and input of interested parties.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force shall be chaired by the chairman
of the Louisiana Gaming Control Board and shall be composed of the following members:
(1) The chairman of the House Committee on Administration of Criminal Justice.
(2) The chairman of the Senate Committee on Judiciary B.
(3) The president of the Senate or his designee.
(4) The speaker of the House of Representatives or his designee.
(5) The governor or his designee.
(6) The superintendent of the Louisiana State Police or his designee.
(7) The secretary of Louisiana Department of Economic Development or his
designee.
(8) The attorney general or his designee.
(9) The lieutenant governor or his designee.
(10) A representative of the riverboat gaming industry as designated by the governor.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that at the conclusion of its meetings, the task force
shall prepare a written report to be presented to the House Committee on Administration of
Criminal Justice and the Senate Committee on Judiciary B no later than sixty days prior to
the beginning of the 2018 Regular Session that shall include, but not be limited to,
recommendations on the following:
(1) Changes to current law or rules and regulations which would generate and
promote continued economic development by riverboat gaming licensees.
(2) Changes to current law or rules and regulations which would provide for greater
safety for visitors and employees of riverboat casinos.
(3) Changes to current law or rules and regulations which would encourage increased
capital reinvestment by riverboat gaming licensees.
(4) Changes to current law or rules and regulations which would improve and
enhance the regulation of riverboat gaming licensees.
(5) Changes to current law or rules and regulation which would make Louisiana
riverboat casinos more competitive with gaming enterprises in nearby jurisdictions.
(6) Any other issues relevant to the task force.
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BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the chairman of the Louisiana Gaming Control
Board shall coordinate with the attorney general and the superintendent of the Louisiana
State Police in the assignment of staff as may be necessary to assist the task force in
performing its duties and preparing its report.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
chairman of the House Committee on Administration of Criminal Justice, the chairman of
the Senate Committee on Judiciary B, the president of the Senate, the speaker of the House
of Representatives, the governor, the lieutenant governor, the attorney general, the
superintendent of the Louisiana State Police, and the secretary of the Louisiana Department
of Economic Development.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
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