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2024 SESSION

24100329D
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 10
House Amendments in [ ] – February 12, 2024
Continuing the Joint Subcommittee to Study the Feasibility of Establishing the Virginia Gaming Commission to regulate and oversee all forms of gaming in the Commonwealth. Report.
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Patron Prior to Engrossment--Delegate Krizek
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Referred to Committee on Rules
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WHEREAS, House Joint Resolution 548 (2023) established the Joint Subcommittee to Study the Feasibility of Establishing the Virginia Gaming Commission to analyze and make recommendations, as appropriate, with respect to (i) the feasibility of establishing a new agency in the executive branch of state government, to be known as the Virginia Gaming Commission (the Commission), under which all legal forms of gaming in the Commonwealth, except for the state lottery established and operated pursuant to the Virginia Lottery Law (§ 58.1-4000 et seq.), shall be consolidated for the purposes of regulation and oversight; (ii) the timely and orderly transition of the regulatory authority over casino gaming and sports betting, charitable gaming, and pari-mutuel wagering on horse racing from the Virginia Lottery, the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, and the Virginia Racing Commission, respectively, to the Commission; and (iii) ways to effectively prioritize problem gambling prevention and treatment efforts; and

WHEREAS, the Joint Subcommittee to Study the Feasibility of Establishing the Virginia Gaming Commission met in 2023 to (i) review the laws and regulations of the Commonwealth governing the relevant forms of legal gambling, (ii) hear presentations and testimony from experts and interested parties, and (iii) discuss and develop a work plan for the joint subcommittee to carry out its work and stated purpose; and

WHEREAS, the Joint Subcommittee to Study the Feasibility of Establishing the Virginia Gaming Commission was unable to hold a sufficient number of meetings to adequately address the considerable number of issues posed in House Joint Resolution 548 (2023) or the research resulting therefrom, and it has become evident that additional work is required to meet the objectives of House Joint Resolution 548 (2023); now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the Joint Subcommittee to Study the Feasibility of Establishing the Virginia Gaming Commission to regulate and oversee all forms of gaming in the Commonwealth be continued. The joint subcommittee shall have a total membership of eight members that shall consist of two members from each of the following committees, to be appointed by the respective committee chairmen: (i) the Senate Committee on General Laws and Technology, (ii) the Senate Committee on Finance and Appropriations, (iii) the House Committee on General Laws, and (iv) the House Committee on Appropriations. Vacancies shall be filled by the original appointing authority. The joint subcommittee shall elect a chairman and vice-chairman from among its membership, who shall be members of the General Assembly.

In conducting its study, the joint subcommittee shall continue the work it has begun with regard to developing recommendations with respect to (i) the laws of the Commonwealth and agency regulations related to legal forms of gambling; (ii) the feasibility of establishing the Virginia Gaming Commission to oversee and regulate all such legal forms of gambling, other than the lottery; (iii) ways to increase funding to the Problem Gambling Treatment and Support Fund and for related efforts; and (iv) additional issues recommended by the joint subcommittee to study in relation to gambling and the regulation and oversight thereof in the Commonwealth.

Administrative staff support shall continue to be provided by the Office of the Clerk of the Senate. Legal, research, policy analysis, and other services as requested by the joint subcommittee shall continue to be provided by the Division of Legislative Services. All agencies of the Commonwealth, including (i) the Virginia Lottery, (ii) the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services' Office of Charitable and Regulatory Programs, and (iii) the Virginia Racing Commission, shall provide assistance to the joint subcommittee for this study, upon request.

The joint subcommittee shall be limited to four meetings for the 2024 interim and four meetings for the 2025 interim, and the direct costs of this study shall not exceed [ $500,000 $15,040 ] for each year without approval as set out in this resolution. Approval for unbudgeted nonmember-related expenses shall require the written authorization of the chairman of the joint subcommittee and the respective Clerk. If a companion joint resolution of the other chamber is agreed to, written authorization of both Clerks shall be required.

The joint subcommittee shall complete its meetings for the first year by November 30, 2024, and for the second year by November 30, 2025, and the chairman shall submit to the Division of Legislative Automated Systems an executive summary of its findings and recommendations no later than the first day of the next Regular Session of the General Assembly for each year. Each executive summary shall state whether the joint subcommittee intends to submit to the General Assembly and the Governor a report of its findings and recommendations for publication as a House or Senate document. The executive summaries and reports shall be submitted as provided in the procedures of the Division of Legislative Automated Systems for the processing of legislative documents and reports and shall be posted on the General Assembly's website.