CARD PLAYING AT SENIOR CENTERS                                                      H.B. 5009 (H-4):

                                                                                                      FLOOR SUMMARY

House Bill 5009 (Substitute H-4 as reported without amendment)

Sponsor:  Representative Pete Lund

House Committee:  Regulatory Reform

Senate Committee:  Regulatory Reform

CONTENT

The bill would amend Chapter 44 (Gambling) of the Michigan Penal Code to do the following:

-- Allow recreational card playing at nonresidential senior citizen's centers, in addition to senior citizen housing facilities.

-- Delete a requirement that a senior citizen group consist of at least 15 members who are 60 years of age or older, and refer instead to a group of senior citizens all of whom are at least 60.

-- Require that the card playing be for the amusement and recreation of the group members (rather than members and guests) and not for fund-raising or profit.

-- Allow only bona fide members, rather than members and employees, of the group to facilitate or participate in the card playing.

-- Allow participating card players to pay up to $5 to buy or rebuy into the card playing. 

-- Prohibit any person, except for the participating individuals, from being compensated or making a profit from the card playing or facilitating the card playing.

The bill would define "senior citizen housing facility" as a facility that provides residential housing restricted to individuals who are 60 or older.  "Senior citizen's center" would mean a facility established or funded by a local unit of government for the use and benefit of individuals who are 60 or older.

MCL 750.303a                                                         Legislative Analyst:  Patrick Affholter

FISCAL IMPACT

The bill would have no fiscal impact on State or local government.

Date Completed:  5-17-12                                                   Fiscal Analyst:  Dan O'Connor

This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.