For Your Information
CAMPAIGN FINANCE
Senate Bill 34 (Act No. 123) - Campaign Finance Disclosure Reports
Requires candidates for statewide
elective offices to electronically file their campaign finance disclosure reports.
Applies to the principal campaign
committee of such candidate.
Only applies to those receiving loans or
contributions in excess of $50,000 in the aggregate during the aggregating period.
Effective January 1, 1999.
GAMING
Senate Bill 33 (Act No. 146) - Minimum Age for Video Poker and Lottery
Raises the minimum age to play video
poker and the lottery to 21.
Mandates winnings be withheld from
underage players.
Video poker licensees who unknowingly
allow underage gamblers to play will be fined $1000 for the first and second offenses, and
a third violation will result in license revocation.
For knowingly allowing an underage
gambler to play, or allowing, in any circumstance, a person under the age of 15 to play,
the license may be revoked for a first or second violation, or a $1000 fine will be
charged.
The licensed will be revoked upon the
third offense.
Video poker licensees have the right to
a hearing when accused of a violation.
Persons under the age of 21 caught
playing video poker will be fined $100.
Anyone caught selling lottery tickets to
persons under the age of 21 will be fined not less than $100 but not more than $500 for a
first offense; for each subsequent offense, a fine of not less than $200 or more than
$1000.
Any underage person who buys a lottery
ticket will be fined not more than $100.
Effective June 16, 1998.
House Bill 174 (Act No. 114) - Underage Gambling Fines for Riverboats
Gives the Louisiana Gaming Authority the
power to levy fines of up to $100,000 on riverboat licensees for any gaming violation,
including underage gambling.
The fine may be in addition to or in
lieu of revocation or suspension of the riverboat gaming license.
The licensee may contest the penalty, in
which case, a hearing will be held by the gambling board.
If the penalty is contested and a
hearing is held, the hearing officer's decision is final.
Effective June 16, 1998.
WILDLIFE AND FISHERIES
House Bill 177 (Act No. 164) - Electronic Hunting/Fishing License Distribution
Authorizes the state Dept. of Wildlife
and Fisheries to issue hunting and recreational fishing licenses and permits through an
electronic issuance system.
This system may include purchase of
licenses or permits using the telephone and any other electronic methods of communication.
Those buying licenses with this new
system may use a credit card to pay fees.
Hunting licenses will now be valid
beginning June 1st and expire June 30th of the following calendar year. Recreational
fishing licenses may now be issued for one year from date of issuance.
Authorizes use of special ID issued by
Dept. of Public Safety and Corrections as proof of residency.
Effective date contingent on available
funding to implement the program.