HB545 Alabama 2019 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Artis McCampbellRepresentative

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2019

Title

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

Summary

This bill would repeal the old Greene County bingo rules and allow a local constitutional amendment to authorize bingo in Greene County on electronic devices, create a Greene County Gaming Commission to regulate it, and tax the revenue to fund local government services and nonprofits.

What This Bill Does

It repeals Amendment 743 and lets Greene County voters approve a new local amendment to authorize bingo played on electronic devices allowed by federal law, with licensing by a new Greene County Gaming Commission. It creates a five-member commission to license, regulate, and enforce bingo, with rules on who can be licensed and age restrictions for players and operators. It imposes taxes on bingo revenue: a 2% state gross receipts tax, a 10% local gross receipts tax, and a 3% local vendor tax, plus details on how the money is allocated. It directs how tax proceeds are distributed to the county, municipalities, and various local agencies and nonprofits, and it sets operating rules for licensees and equipment approvals under the commission's oversight.

Who It Affects

• Greene County residents and municipalities, who would see tax revenue allocated to county services, schools, fire, E-911, hospital/nursing home, industrial development, ambulance services, housing authority, and nonprofits.
• Bingo licensees and bingo equipment vendors operating in Greene County, who would need licenses from the Greene County Gaming Commission, pay taxes, follow location and operator rules, and use Commission-approved equipment.

Key Provisions

• Repeal Amendment 743 and authorize a local constitutional amendment to permit bingo in Greene County on electronic machines or devices approved by federal law.
• Create the Greene County Gaming Commission (five members) to license, regulate, and enforce bingo, with residency, ethics, and term requirements for commissioners.
• Limit bingo to qualified persons licensed by the Greene County Gaming Commission and require equipment to be approved by the Commission; restrict players and operators to on-site premises owned or leased by the licensee.
• Impose a 2% state gross receipts tax and a 10% local gross receipts tax on bingo revenue, plus a 3% local tax on bingo equipment vendors; establish timing for tax payments to the state and local authorities.
• Specify how local tax proceeds are distributed: funds for Commission expenses, county government, municipalities by population, fire/EMS, school board, E-911, hospital/nursing home, industrial development, housing authority, ambulance service, and nonprofits.
• Clarify that these taxes replace other local taxes for bingo activities in Greene County, while other standard taxes apply to unrelated business activities; require compliance with laws and cooperation with the district attorney for enforcement.

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