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Committee approves HB154 to exempt youth-focused fundraising raffles from bingo and raffle act
Summary
House Bill 154 would exempt raffles held by tax-exempt service, educational, athletic or extracurricular organizations that primarily serve youth from the New Mexico Bingo and Raffle Act; the committee voted 10-0 to recommend the bill.
Representative Zamora introduced House Bill 154 to exempt raffles conducted to raise funds by tax-exempt organizations that primarily serve youth from the New Mexico Bingo and Raffle Act.
"Right now, this bill is targeted towards youth groups essentially of all types, whether we're talking, 4 H, athletic clubs, academic clubs, schools. We've all seen that they have raffles regularly to raise money for trips, competitions, new uniforms, new supplies," an expert witness for the Gaming Control Board said during the sponsor's presentation.
Michelle Pado, staff counsel for the Gaming Control Board, and Patrick Garrett, chairman of the Gaming Control Board, testified about the bill and said the intent is to exempt low-stakes, youth-focused fundraising raffles from regulation under the Bingo and Raffle Act so that enforcement resources are not applied to small community fundraisers.
Committee members generally supported the concept but suggested tightening language to reduce potential abuse or unintended expansion. Representative Dela Cruz noted senior and community uses of small raffles when discussing the policy rationale. The committee then moved and recorded a do pass recommendation. The committee roll call recorded a final tally of 10 yes, 0 no.
What happens next: The committee's do pass recommendation forwards HB154 to the next legislative stage; the transcript does not record floor action.
