HB575 Alabama 2010 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Earl F. Hilliard

Democrat

Co-Sponsors

Merika ColemanLawrence McAdory

Session

Regular Session 2010

Title

Jefferson Co., bingo, authorized for certain charitable or educational purposes, regulation by sheriff, penalties, Amendment 386 (Section 2, Jefferson County, Local Amendments, Recompiled Constitution of Alabama of 1901, as amended), repealed, const. amend.

Summary

HB575 would let Jefferson County voters approve a local constitutional change to allow nonprofit groups to run bingo for charitable or educational purposes, repealing a prior county amendment.

What This Bill Does

The bill proposes a local constitutional amendment for Jefferson County to permit nonprofit organizations to operate bingo for charitable, educational, or lawful purposes and repeals the existing Jefferson County bingo amendment. It sets up sheriff-based regulation, including licensing and enforcement, and imposes rules on who can play, who can operate, where bingo can occur, and how it must be conducted. It also specifies prize limits, advertising controls, labeling requirements, and penalties for violations, and requires a local election to approve the amendment.

Who It Affects

• Nonprofit organizations in Jefferson County that would operate bingo games, subject to licensing, on-site operation requirements, and other rules established by the sheriff.
• Residents and visitors in Jefferson County who may play bingo (restricted to players 19 and older; and who are affected by prize limits, advertising restrictions, and enforcement).

Key Provisions

• Repeals Amendment No. 386 to the Alabama Constitution (the current Jefferson County local bingo amendment).
• Proposes a local constitutional amendment for Jefferson County to authorize bingo games operated by nonprofit organizations for charitable, educational, or other lawful purposes.
• Defines terms (Bingo, Equipment, Nonprofit Organization) and clarifies who can operate bingo and under what conditions.
• Authorizes bingo to be operated by a nonprofit organization in Jefferson County; the sheriff will create and enforce licensing and operation rules, including: no players or operators under age 19; bingo must be on the nonprofit's own premises; no contracts with third parties to operate bingo; no use of another nonprofit's name; equipment must be clearly labeled; prize limits capped at $10,000 per session; limited advertising with sheriff approval and disclosure of net proceeds use; license must be displayed at the location; sheriff sets operation days and hours.
• Violations of the amendment’s provisions would be Class A misdemeanor offenses.
• Requires an election to approve or reject the amendment, with ballot language and compliance with applicable Alabama election laws.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 25, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Jefferson County