SB389 Alabama 2018 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Bobby D. SingletonSenator

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2018

Title

Greene Co., bingo on electronic machines or devices authorized for licensed racetracks, Greene Co. Gaming Commission, established, const. amend.

Summary

This bill repeals the current Greene County bingo rule and creates a local system with a Greene County Gaming Commission to regulate bingo on federally authorized electronic devices, tax the revenue, and distribute funds to local government and community groups.

What This Bill Does

It repeals Amendment 743 and allows Greene County to authorize bingo played on electronic devices approved by federal law, but only for qualified, licensed licensees. It creates the Greene County Gaming Commission to license and regulate bingo, set rules, and enforce compliance. It imposes a 2% state tax and a 10% local tax on bingo revenue, plus a 2% vendor tax on bingo equipment vendors, with proceeds distributed to county and local entities such as municipalities, schools, fire, hospital, and nonprofits. It also outlines licensing rules (age limits, premises, equipment approval) and defines terms like bingo, licensee, and gaming revenue.

Who It Affects

• Qualified individuals or businesses that want to operate bingo games in Greene County (licensees) and the players who will participate, under new licensing and operation rules.
• Greene County and its municipalities and public agencies (e.g., county commission, fire association, board of education, E-911, hospital, housing authority, nonprofits) that will receive and distribute the new bingo tax revenue and enforce the rules.

Key Provisions

• Repeal of Amendment 743 and authorization for bingo in Greene County on electronic devices approved under federal law; licensing restricted to qualified persons.
• Creation of the Greene County Gaming Commission (five members) to implement, regulate, and enforce bingo; appointment by local delegation; residency, ethics, and term rules.
• Bingo licensees must be qualified, licensed by the Commission; age 19+ requirement; operation on licensed premises; equipment must be Commission-approved.
• Tax structure: 2% state gross receipts tax and 10% local gross receipts tax on bingo revenue; 2% local tax on bingo vendors; monthly payments due by the 20th; revenue allocations to various local entities and nonprofits.
• Revenue allocations: distributions to Greene County Commission, municipalities by population share, Firefighters Association, Board of Education, E-911, Hospital, IDB, Ambulance, Housing Authority, and remaining to nonprofits per Commission rules.
• Vendors tax details: 2% local vendor tax, with proceeds split between Eutaw Police and Greene County Sheriff per population.
• Taxes on bingo revenues replace other local taxes for bingo; licensees remain subject to other applicable state and local taxes (income, property, sales, etc.).
• Other provisions: Commission and staff must follow ethics, open records, open meetings, and administrative procedures laws; no repeal of local racetrack regulation; election process for constitutional amendment.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Constitutional Amendments