Posted: | July 27, 2020 04:25 PM |
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From: | Senator Joe Pittman |
To: | All Senate members |
Subject: | Allowing Volunteer Fire Departments to Fund raise Online During Pandemic |
In the near future I intend to introduce legislation to allow volunteer fire departments, veterans organizations and other non-profits to conduct Small Games of Chance (SGOC) fundraisers online amidst the COVID-19 disaster emergency declaration (issued by the Governor on March 6, 2020 and as reauthorized). Due to restrictions implemented during the COIVD-19 emergency, these organizations have been unable to conduct many of the fundraisers they need to operate. Ensuring these organizations can continue to provide critical services to our communities is vital. This proposed legislation would allow organizations with SGOC club licenses to offer games of chance virtually via the internet or mobile application, as well as receive payment electronically through credit and debit cards or other electronic mobile payment applications. Under the proposed bill, licensees would be required to verify age and Commonwealth residence of those participating in SGOC, and the ability to fundraise online would end 30 days after the termination of the Governor’s COVID-19 Emergency declaration. Please join me in cosponsoring this bill so these organizations can continue to serve our communities and recover the resources they need to continue to operate. Thank you for your consideration, and if you have any questions, please contact Ben Bush, of my staff, at 717-724-357-0151. |
Introduced as SB1266