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Committee approves amended bill letting two charities run different games at same small‑town site with consent
Summary
House Bill 1416, as amended, allows two charitable organizations to conduct different types of games at the same site in communities of 1,200 people or fewer if both organizations consent and funds/staff remain separate. The committee approved a do‑pass recommendation as amended, 8–6.
Bismarck — The House Judiciary Committee advanced House Bill 1416, amended to require consent of both organizations and to limit the overlap to 12 hours per day, allowing two charities to operate different game types at the same site in towns of 1,200 people or fewer.
Representative Greenach introduced the bill as a small‑town measure aimed at communities where a single facility serves as the restaurant, meeting hall and community center. Sponsor testimony and supporters argued the bill would let two organizations — for example, a veterans post running bingo and a community club operating electronic pull tabs — coexist at the same site for a limited period without sharing employees or commingling funds.
The committee amended the bill to add a consent requirement (both organizations must agree) and clarified the 12‑hour limit as 12 hours per day. The Attorney General’s charitable gaming director, Deb McDaniel, opposed the bill in its original form and warned of regulatory complexity, unclear definitions (for example how to determine municipal population thresholds) and the risk of commingled funds. Committee members discussed those concerns and the sponsor said he would work with the AG’s office on regulatory details.
After amendment the committee voted 8–6 in favor of a do‑pass recommendation. Representative Henderson agreed to carry the amended bill to the floor.
