Georgia House Bill HB473

Georgia 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/16/23
• Report Pass: 3/2/23
• Report Pass: 2/13/24

Caption

Crimes and offenses; local governments operate bingo based games to offset reduced tax collections resulting from state-owned forest lands; authorize

Impact

If passed, HB 473 would alter existing codes concerning bingo and financial operations related to state-owned lands. Specifically, counties that are licensed to operate bingo games would be required to remit a portion of their proceeds to the state if their income from these games exceeds certain thresholds. This change signifies a move towards empowering local governments to take initiative in revenue generation while also ensuring that a share of profits is directed back to state resources.

Summary

House Bill 473 proposes significant amendments to the regulation of bingo games in Georgia, allowing local governments to conduct bingo-based games as a means to counterbalance fiscal losses resulting from large areas of state-owned forest land that are not subject to local taxation. The intent is to provide local governments, particularly those with highly impacted tax digests, a way to generate revenue while alleviating financial burdens associated with maintaining state properties. The bill outlines various stipulations for operations and funding pertaining to these bingo games, including license issuance by the Secretary of State and the requirement for rigorous record-keeping.

Sentiment

The sentiment around HB 473 appears to reflect a mix of optimism for local funding and concerns over the regulatory implications of allowing local governments to operate bingo games. Proponents argue it represents a pragmatic solution to financial challenges faced by many counties, especially in resource-strapped areas. However, there may be skepticism regarding the potential for misuse or the integrity of bingo operations, leading to calls for strict regulatory oversight.

Contention

Notable points of contention include the provisions detailing how the bingo games should be operated, records maintained, and the penalties for non-compliance. Critics could argue that the bill might lead to increased gambling activities and associated social issues while supporters insist it is a necessary step for fiscal recovery in communities affected by the state ownership of land. Moreover, concerns related to the appropriateness of using gambling as a method for income generation are anticipated as points of debate.