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House panel backs raising local raffle prize limits from $8,000 to $15,000
Summary
The House Judiciary Committee recommended passage of House Bill 1192 on Jan. 15 to raise single and total prize limits for certain locally authorized charitable raffles, a change supporters said would help rural fundraisers cover inflation and larger prize items.
Bismarck — The House Judiciary Committee recommended passage of House Bill 1192 on Jan. 15, approving a proposal to raise prize ceilings for certain locally authorized charitable raffles.
House Bill 1192 would change limits that apply to raffles run by organizations described in statute as “public spirited.” The bill raises the maximum allowable single prize from $8,000 to $15,000 and increases the cap on the total value of all prizes at a single raffle from $40,000 to $50,000.
Sponsor Representative Kathy Froelich of District 15 told the committee the request was brought to her by a constituent and reflected concerns about inflation and rising costs for organizing large community fundraisers. Froelich said the change would help small rural groups — she cited a community club and a rural fire district in Minnewaukkan — that rely on large raffles to fund equipment and local services.
Supporters who testified included Scott Meske of the North Dakota Gaming Alliance and Travis Zablotny of Minot. Meske told the committee the $8,000 limit in current law likely dated to decades ago and that raising the cap would reflect modern costs. Zablotny described multi‑district raffles that hit the existing limits and said higher caps would allow more participants and prizes without forcing organizers to exclude districts.
Committee members asked about the statute’s definition of a “public spirited” organization and about a cross‑reference to chapter 20.108 that appears in current code. Froelich said the local subdivision typically determines what qualifies as public spirited and noted an unrelated senate measure recently adjusted that definition. Members also raised practical questions about how prizes such as vehicles have been treated under existing law; witnesses said other code sections or prior practice have covered some prize types.
The committee voted to give HB1192 a do‑pass recommendation. The roll call resulted in a majority in favor and the bill will be carried to the floor by Representative Wolff.
