HB576 Alabama 2010 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Earl F. Hilliard

Democrat

Co-Sponsors

Merika ColemanRod ScottLawrence McAdory

Session

Regular Session 2010

Title

Fairfield, bingo, authorized for certain charitable or educational purposes, const. amend.

Summary

HB576 would let the City of Fairfield, through a local constitutional amendment, authorize nonprofit bingo for charitable or educational purposes under tight rules.

What This Bill Does

The bill proposes a local constitutional amendment to allow bingo in Fairfield. If voters approve, the Fairfield City Council would license and regulate nonprofit bingo games, with rules on who can play, where games can occur, and how they are run. It sets age limits (no one under 19 may play or operate), requires premises to be owned or leased by the organizing nonprofit, limits prizes to $10,000 per session, and imposes strict restrictions on contracts, use of the nonprofit name, equipment markings, advertising, and licensing display; violations would be Class A misdemeanors.

Who It Affects

• Qualified nonprofit organizations in Fairfield that meet the definition (e.g., religious, educational, service, senior, fraternal, veterans groups, including volunteer fire departments) and that want to operate bingo.
• Residents and potential players in Fairfield aged 19 and older who may participate in bingo under the rules.
• City of Fairfield government (City Council and police chief) responsible for licensing, regulation, enforcement, and compliance with the rules.
• The broader Fairfield community, through the establishment of defined locations, advertising standards, and transparency about how proceeds are used.

Key Provisions

• Defines bingo, equipment, and nonprofit organization, including that a nonprofit must be tax-exempt or have existed for at least three years and may include volunteer fire departments and rescue squads.
• Bingo may be operated by a nonprofit organization in the City of Fairfield; the Fairfield City Council will create rules for licensing, permitting, and operation, with police enforcement of compliance.
• Age restrictions: no one under 19 may play or assist in operating the games.
• Premises: bingo must be conducted on property owned or leased by the nonprofit; location must be stated in the organization's application.
• Prohibitions: nonprofits may not contract with third parties to operate bingo, pay consulting fees for bingo services, or lend their name/identity to others for bingo not directly operated by them.
• Equipment and advertising: all equipment must be clearly marked with the nonprofit's name; prizes cannot exceed $10,000 per session; advertising is restricted to what the city allows and must disclose how net proceeds will be used.
• License display and operation: the nonprofit must display its bingo license at the location, and the city council will set the days and hours of operation.
• Penalties: violations are Class A misdemeanors under general law.
• Election requirement: the amendment requires voter approval in a local election, with ballot language describing the proposed change to authorize nonprofit bingo for charitable, educational, and other lawful purposes in Fairfield.

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