S.B. 947 & 948: COMMITTEE SUMMARY - ASSISTANCE: CASINO WINNINGS
Senate Bills 947 and 948 (as introduced 2-26-98)
Sponsor: Senator Dave Jaye (S.B. 947)
Senator Loren Bennett (S.B. 948)
Committee: Gaming and Casino Oversight
Date Completed: 3-3-98
CONTENT
Senate Bill 947 would amend the Social Welfare Act to provide that a person who was receiving or had received assistance, and who won $1,000 or more at casino gaming, would be required to pay a portion of the prize for the assistance. Senate Bill 948 would amend the Michigan Gaming Control and Revenue Act to require a casino licensee to give notice whenever a person won $1,000 or more in a single wager or game. The bills are tie-barred to each other.
Senate Bill 947
The bill provides that an individual who was receiving, or had received within the previous three years (or whose spouse or minor children were receiving or had received within the previous three years), ongoing family independence assistance and who won $1,000 or more at casino gaming would be liable to the Family Independence Agency (FIA) for the assistance paid to the individual or his or her spouse or minor children during the previous three years, up to 50% of the winnings.
The Director of the FIA would have to enter into a written agreement with the Michigan Gaming Control Board to specify procedures for implementing the bill. The agreement would have to include both of the following:
-- The procedure under which the FIA and the Board would exchange information regarding casino gaming winnings and individuals who received cash assistance within the previous three years.
-- Any other matter that the parties to the agreement considered necessary to carry out the provisions of the bill.
The FIA would have to provide written notice to each casino gaming winner liable to the Agency of the amount of the winnings to be credited against assistance received, and the procedure and time frame by which the winner could contest that crediting. The notice would have to include the address and telephone number of the FIA and the name of the individual the winner could contact with respect to his or her liability for assistance, or the payment of the liability. The procedure would have to include the right to a hearing before an administrative law judge.
The FIA would have to notify each applicant for or recipient of ongoing cash assistance of the requirements of the bill. Notice would have to be given within 180 days after the bill's effective date or upon the date of application, whichever was earlier.
Senate Bill 948
The bill would require a casino licensee to notify the Michigan Gaming Control Board each time a person won $1,000 or more in the course of a single wager or game at the licensee's casino. The notice would have to include the person's name, Social Security number, birth date, address, and amount won.
Proposed MCL 400.43b (S.B. 947) - Legislative Analyst: G. Towne
Proposed MCL 432.211a (S.B. 948)
FISCAL IMPACT
Senate Bill 947
It appears that the bill would have an indeterminate fiscal impact on State government. The amendment would allow for the comparison of benefit recipients with casino winnings to target possible reimbursement by assistance grant recipients for payments received. It is uncertain how many assistance recipients would have casino winnings of $1,000 or more. However, the Family Independence Agency could monitor the process to determine any fiscal impact on State revenues.
It appears that the bill would have no fiscal impact on local governments regarding the Family Independence Agency budget.
Senate Bill 948
The bill would have no fiscal impact on State or local government.
- R. Ross
S9798\S947SA
This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.