2009 House Bill 5121: Revise charitable “millionaire party” law

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Introduced by Rep. Harold Haugh (D) on June 17, 2009, to authorize expedited permits for the fundraising "millionaire parties" a charitable organization may hold, if the group pays an additional $300 for the permit. This is an event where there are games associated with a gambling casino, such as Black Jack, roulette, etc. Also, to authorize “large millionaire parties,” defined as ones in which the sponsoring organization may pay non-members to conduct the affair on a for-profit basis.
- Referred to the House Regulatory Reform Committee on June 17, 2009.
  - Reported in the House on December 16, 2009, with the recommendation that the substitute (H-3) be adopted and that the bill then pass.
  - Substitute offered in the House on March 18, 2010. The substitute passed by voice vote in the House on March 18, 2010.
- Amendment offered by Rep. Wayne Schmidt (R) on March 18, 2010, to transfer unspent charitable gambling license and fee revenue at the end of each year to the state school aid fund rather than the state general fund. The amendment passed by voice vote in the House on March 18, 2010.
- Amendment offered by Rep. Tom McMillin (R) on March 18, 2010, to tie-bar the bill to House Bill 5709, meaning this bill cannot become law unless that one does also. HB 5709 would allow cities, townships and villages to limit the number of “millionaire parties” held within their jurisdiction. The amendment failed by voice vote in the House on March 18, 2010.
- Amendment offered by Rep. Brian Calley (R) on March 18, 2010, to increase from four to 12 each year the number of "millionaires parties" a charitable organization may hold. The amendment failed by voice vote in the House on March 18, 2010.
Passed 67 to 40 in the House on March 18, 2010, to increase charitable gambling and bingo license fees by 15 to 100 percent; allow expedited licenses for an additional fee; expand the allowable hours and types of charitable gambling; expand the allowable advertising for the non-profits that sponsor these events; and allow dealers at "Texas Hold’em" events to be employees of licensed suppliers and oflarge "millionaire party" location licensees, and allow the dealers and pit bosses at the events to accept tips.
Who Voted "Yes" and Who Voted "No"
Received in the Senate on March 23, 2010.
- Referred to the Senate Commerce & Tourism Committee on March 23, 2010.
- Referred to the Senate Economic Development and Regulatory Reform Committee on April 20, 2010.

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1) Re: 2009 House Bill 5121 (Revise charitable “millionaire party” law ) by kgorham on July 12, 2009

Just another thing I forgot to mention.. isn't it funny no other charitable license fee was raised.. that means the state isn't doing this for the sake of revenue.. there is only one reason to shut down charity poker rooms.. What a shame.. Close so many small business!!. And all the monies they have raised for non profit organizations.. look at the numbers what have been raised in the last year..

I have a good feeling if this passes there will be many class action lawsuits filed..

REASEARcH!!!

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2) Re: 2009 House Bill 5121 (Revise charitable “millionaire party” law ) by kgorham on July 12, 2009

This bill is definety bought out by big business or casinos.. There is only one pourpose of this bill .... To shut down 100+ small business here in michigan.. If the sate needed revenu it would incrase the license fee to double to maybe 100.00 per day.. But increaseing the fee to 250 per day or 1000.00 per weekend will shut down 100+ charity poker rooms.. especially here in Northern michigan where fund raiseing is needed the most.. My charities make average 2000 per week and you want to charge them 1000.00 dollar license fee.. up from 200 per weekend..

I have saved many charities from going under and helping many underpriviliged people right here in these small communties. You will end all that and close all my rooms down. You don't relize these room pay taxes.. i pay property taxes, Sales tax, Personal property tax.. Another great idea you all have..

Leave charitable gaming for what it was intended to do.. (Raise money for non-profit organizations) Maybe one vote you will have integrity on and not sell.. Please keep your hands out of this one!

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3) Re: 2009 House Bill 5121 (Revise charitable “millionaire party” law ) by kgorham on July 12, 2009

This bill isabsoulty horrible. This just shows that money can buy votes. and our reps are for sale.. Let's leave charitable gaming itended to what it was inteed for.. (to raise money for non-profit organizations.. This bill is intended for no other then to shut down many small business established in this state.. I have 4 Charitable poker rooms in the north and have saved many non profit organizations from going under in this time of a repressed economy and fund raising being at it's all time lowest.. I have personaally raised over 100,000.00 dollars in my northern charity poker room in the last year.. But a charity averages 2,000 dollars a week. The state now wants to increase the non profit licensing fee from 50 dollars per day to 250 dollars per day or 1000.00 dollars per weekend.. Therefore that would cost the charity over half thier earnings and make this not worth thier time..

These millionaire partys have been the best fund raising opportunity for non profit organizations.. The opportunity to hold these events in establised poker rooms and the consistency of the same location every weekend has made all the difference in the world.. The players know where the event is every weekend and it is operated and run consistently.. Many charities have no clue on texas holdem or how to run events..

Think about it .. If the state wanted to increase revenu it would double the license fee and this would allow the charity to still be able to benefit from the event.. But to raise the licensing fee 5 x the current license amount has no other pourpose then to close down many small business paying taxes here in the state and to halt all well needed funding raiseing here in northern michigan.

My local moose lodge tried to hold an even on thier own.. guess what only three people showed up.. The idea is to be consistent on the same location which also decrease the expenditure of advertising..

Keep it up law makers shut down All your small business because we have so many large bussiness left here in the state.. No one will be here to pay your salarys. I am so sick that the casinos have made it to your fund raising campigns and to see our votes for sale.. What other reason can you provide for this bill 5121..Shut downs bussiness and the opportunity for non profits to raise monies..look at the numbers these chairty poker rooms raised over 14 million dollars last year alone for non profiits doing great things in our local communities..

Wow I am sick !!!

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