Bill Text: NJ A459 | 2010-2011 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Increases funding for compulsive gambling prevention, education, and treatment programs.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2010-01-25 - Transferred to Assembly Regulatory Oversight and Gaming Committee [A459 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2010-A459-Introduced.html
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
214th LEGISLATURE
PRE-FILED FOR INTRODUCTION IN THE 2010 SESSION
Sponsored by:
Assemblywoman JOAN M. VOSS
District 38 (Bergen)
SYNOPSIS
Increases funding for compulsive gambling prevention, education, and treatment programs.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
Introduced Pending Technical Review by Legislative Counsel
An Act concerning funding for compulsive gambling prevention, education, and treatment programs and amending P.L.2001, c.199 and P.L.1977, c.110.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. Section 34 of P.L.2001, c.199 (C.5:5-159) is amended to read as follows:
34. In addition to any other funds provided by law for prevention, education and treatment programs for compulsive gamblers, beginning on July 1, 2003, there shall be an annual assessment against permit holders or successors in interest to permit holders, if applicable, of a total sum of [$200,000] $500,000 in the aggregate which shall be paid into the General Fund for appropriation by the Legislature to the Department of Health and Senior Services for prevention [and] , education and treatment programs for compulsive gambling that meet the criteria developed pursuant to section 2 of P.L.1993, c.229 (C.26:2-169), such as those provided by the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey. Such funds shall be used to address compulsive gambling issues related to off-track wagering facilities and account wagering. The New Jersey Racing Commission shall, by regulation, establish a formula which apportions the assessment to each permit holder or successor in interest, if applicable.
(cf: P.L.2001, c.199, s.34)
2. Section 145 of P.L.1977, c.110 (C.5:12-145) is amended to read as follows:
145. Casino revenue fund. a.
There is hereby created and established in the Department of the Treasury a
separate special account to be known as the "Casino Revenue Fund,"
into which shall be deposited all revenues from the tax imposed by section 144
of [this act] P.L.1977,
c.110 (C.5:12-1 et seq.); the investment alternative tax imposed by section
3 of P.L.1984, c.218 (C.5:12-144.1); the taxes and fees imposed by sections 3,
4 and 6 of P.L.2003, c.116 (C.5:12-148.1, C.5:12-148.2 and C.5:12-145.8) and
any interest and penalties imposed by the commission relating to those taxes;
and all penalties levied and collected by the commission pursuant to P.L.1977,
c.110 (C.5:12-1 et seq.) and the regulations promulgated thereunder, except
that the first [$600,000]
$1 million in penalties collected each fiscal year shall be paid
into the General Fund for appropriation by the Legislature to the Department of
Health and Senior Services, $500,000 of
which is to provide funds to the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey
and [$100,000] $500,000
of which is to provide funds for compulsive gambling treatment programs in the
State. In the event that less than [$600,000] $1 million in penalties are collected, [the Department of Health and Senior Services shall
determine the allocation of funds between the Council and the treatment
programs eligible under the criteria developed pursuant to section 2 of
P.L.1993, c.229 (C.26:2-169)] the commission
shall levy an assessment against casino licensees in an amount equal to the
difference between $1 million and the amount of penalties collected to be paid
by each licensee in equal amounts.
b. The commission shall require at least monthly deposits by the licensee of the tax established pursuant to subsection a. of section 144 of P.L.1977, c.110 (C.5:12-144), at such times, under such conditions, and in such depositories as shall be prescribed by the State Treasurer. The deposits shall be deposited to the credit of the Casino Revenue Fund. The commission may require a monthly report and reconciliation statement to be filed with it on or before the 10th day of each month, with respect to gross revenues and deposits received and made, respectively, during the preceding month.
c. Moneys in the Casino Revenue Fund shall be appropriated exclusively for reductions in property taxes, rentals, telephone, gas, electric, and municipal utilities charges of eligible senior citizens and disabled residents of the State, and for additional or expanded health services or benefits or transportation services or benefits to eligible senior citizens and disabled residents, as shall be provided by law. On or about March 15 and September 15 of each year, the State Treasurer shall publish in at least 10 newspapers circulating generally in the State a report accounting for the total revenues received in the Casino Revenue Fund and the specific amounts of money appropriated therefrom for specific expenditures during the preceding six months ending December 31 and June 30.
(cf: P.L.2004, c.128, s.2)
3. This act shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
Currently, New Jersey law designates approximately $600,000 in State funding to be available annually for compulsive gambling prevention, education, and treatment programs throughout the State. The vast majority of this funding is generated by penalties levied against casinos. Of the $600,000, $500,000 funds the Council on Compulsive Gambling, and $100,000 is given as grants to treatment centers. An additional $200,000 is available from an assessment against permit holders of racetracks, to address compulsive gambling issues related to off-track wagering facilities and account wagering.
This bill would increase the amount of total funding made available by statute for compulsive gambling prevention, education, and treatment programs to $1.5 million. The amount from casino penalties would be increased to $1 million, with $500,000 to be given to the Council on Compulsive Gambling and $500,000 to be given to treatment centers, allowing more compulsive gamblers to be served by qualified mental health professionals. If the amount generated from casino penalties does not total $1 million in any year, an assessment would be levied against the casinos to make up the difference. Additionally, the assessment against racetrack permit holders is increased to $500,000.
As opportunities for gambling have increased in New Jersey, the need for adequate compulsive gambling prevention and education programs and treatment facilities for compulsive gamblers has also increased. It is estimated that 5 percent of New Jersey's population, totaling over 400,000 people, suffer from the effects of compulsive gambling. Only a small number of these individuals, however, receive appropriate treatment from mental health professionals because of a severe lack of funding. The Legislature must provide adequate funding for compulsive gambling treatment programs to assist State residents who struggle with this problem. Additionally, an increase in prevention and education programs is necessary to prevent more individuals from becoming problem gamblers.
