Committee rejects bill to increase charitable gaming support for gambling‑disorder programs

The Appropriations Committee recommended a do‑not‑pass on Senate Bill 2,393, which would have modified transfers from the charitable gaming fund to gambling disorder prevention and treatment efforts.

Senator Dever (bill presenter) explained the bill would adjust how dollars from the charitable gaming fund are allocated for gambling addiction prevention and treatment, and it also proposed an additional full‑time equivalent (FTE) position to support that work in the Attorney General’s Office. Committee members said the bill’s dollar language overlapped with another bill, Senate Bill 2,205, which raised quarterly transfers from $10,000 per quarter to $75,000 per quarter. There was concern SB 2,393 might unintentionally replace, duplicate or conflict with SB 2,205. Committee staff also noted the Attorney General’s fiscal note did not include the cost of the proposed FTE.

Given those overlaps and the committee’s view that the funding and the requested staff position were better considered in the human services budget process, Senator Dever moved a do‑not‑pass recommendation. The committee adopted that recommendation on a roll‑call vote and the bill received a do‑not‑pass recommendation from the Appropriations Committee.