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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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State
Rep. Neal P. Goodman State
Rep. Tim Seip |
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Bill backed by Goodman, Seip to help nonprofit civic groups passes House
HARRISBURG, May 5 -- Legislation supported by state Reps. Neal P. Goodman and Tim Seip that would expand small games of chance for nonprofit civic organizations passed the House of Representatives Tuesday.
House Bill 169 would change Pennsylvania's small games of chance law to increase the prize limit for daily drawings and raffles from $500 to $1,000; increase weekly prize limits from $5,000 to $25,000; allow eligible nonprofit organizations to hold monthly drawings as well as multiple daily drawings; and allow organizations to use some of what they take in through small games of chance for operating expenses.
"Civic organizations across Schuylkill County and the rest of the state are struggling just to make ends meet, and have little left over for projects that help the quality of life in our communities," said Goodman, D-Schuylkill. "They need some help in these difficult economic times, and new fundraising opportunities would do just that."
"This legislation is very important for our church organizations, emergency responders and veterans organizations, said Seip, D-Schuylkill/Berks. "We want to do all we can to remove obstacles for them while they're trying very hard to do good things in our communities across Schuylkill and Berks counties."
The types of organizations affected by the bill would include volunteer fire companies, veterans’ organizations, religious groups, and civic and service clubs.
The Pennsylvania Local Option Small Games of Chance Act was enacted in 1988 to allow certain nonprofit organizations to conduct small games of chance for the purpose of raising funds for public interest purposes. Goodman and Seip said it has not been updated to reflect the growing needs of civic organizations.
The bill, which passed the House on a bipartisan 166-24 vote, now moves to the state Senate.