SB 315 Now Heads to the Full House for Second Reading Vote!
Today, the Indiana House Public Policy Committee voted 8 to 0 to pass Senate Bill 315, authored by state Senator Randy Head (R-18) and sponsored by Representative Mark Messmer (R-63). This bill will now be sent to the House floor for its second reading vote as early as Monday, February 20.
SB 315 will streamline the licensing and reporting process for charity gaming events, such as “Friends of NRA” banquets, by:
1. Establishing one comprehensive charity gaming license for national organizations and foundations for use by their local affiliates;
2. Removing the current six-to-nine week application process and requiring in its place a 21-day notification to the Indiana Gaming Commission prior to an event; and
3. Allowing qualified organizations and foundations to "police their own" by removing requirements to turn over volunteers' personal information to the Indiana Gaming Commission.
These policy changes would greatly improve the ability of “Friends of NRA” committees to comply with
As many NRA members well know, “Friends of NRA” banquets play a critical role in raising grant money to support education, safety, and training programs in communities across the Hoosier State, such as the Boy Scouts, 4H clubs, and local law enforcement groups. Unfortunately, some “Friends of NRA” chapters had difficulties holding banquets in 2011, which resulted in a net loss of approximately $100,000 in money that cannot be used for these Indiana groups.
Please contact your state Representative before Monday’s second reading vote, and respectfully urge him or her to support SB 315. Contact information for your state Representative can be found here.