BRIDGE CARDS: NO ACCESS TO CASINO ATMs
House Bill 4722 (Substitute H-2)
Sponsor: Rep. Thomas Hooker
House Committee: Families, Children, and Seniors
Senate Bill 109 (Substitute S-1)
Sponsor: Sen. Rick Jones
House Committee: Families, Children, and Seniors
Senate Committee: Families, Seniors, and Human Services
Complete to 6-30-11
A SUMMARY OF HOUSE BILL 4722 AND SENATE BILL 109 AS REPORTED FROM HOUSE COMMITTEE
House Bill 4722 and Senate Bill 109 would both amend the Social Welfare Act to require the DHS to work with providers of automatic teller machine services to create and implement a program or method of blocking access to cash benefits from Michigan Bridge Cards at ATMs located in casinos or casino enterprises. The bill would also specify that a recipient could not purchase lottery tickets, alcohol or tobacco products with a Michigan Bridge card. If the DHS requires a federal waiver to implement these provisions, the department must apply for that waiver immediately upon the bill's enactment. The bill would define "casino" and "casino enterprise" to mean those terms as defined in the Michigan Gaming Control and Revenue Act. The bills contain identical provisions.
MCL 400.57v
FISCAL IMPACT:
House Bill 4722 (H-2) and Senate Bill 109 will have no fiscal impact on state funds. DHS has already reached agreements with most ATM vendors in or around casinos to restrict ATM withdrawals. The cash benefits will still be spent, but instead of the benefits potentially being used for gambling, the benefits can be spent on items such as rent, utilities, clothing, toiletries, and other essential items.
Fiscal Analyst: Kevin Koorstra
■ This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan House staff for use by House members in their deliberations, and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.