REPORT TITLE:
Gaming; Referendum


DESCRIPTION:
Requires an advisory referendum question on whether or not the
State of Hawaii shall have legalized gaming and then asks, on
each of three forms of gaming, which type of legalized gambling
shall be undertaken.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                        
THE SENATE                              S.B. NO.           2609
TWENTIETH LEGISLATURE, 2000                                
STATE OF HAWAII                                            
                                                             
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                   A  BILL  FOR  AN  ACT

RELATING TO THE ECONOMY.



BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 1      SECTION 1. The legislature finds that the economy of Hawaii
 
 2 and the economic well-being of its citizens are severely
 
 3 threatened by the serious world-wide economic crisis. As a result
 
 4 of this economic crisis, the ability of the State to provide
 
 5 basic services to its citizens has been threatened.  The
 
 6 legislature has received a mandate from the electorate of the
 
 7 State to address the massive shortfall of revenue that is
 
 8 threatening county and state programs, as well as its economic
 
 9 growth.  In order to maintain much needed social programs,
 
10 guarantee quality education, expand economic growth, and compete
 
11 in the evermore competitive global tourism market, the State
 
12 should address these needs by exploring legalizing gaming as an
 
13 alternative source of revenue.
 
14      The purpose of this Act is to require an advisory referendum
 
15 on the issue of whether the State should legalize gaming to
 
16 stimulate economic growth and if so, what form of legalized
 
17 gambling shall be allowed.  This issue has engendered several
 
18 studies and heated debate among the business community, the
 
19 government, and the community at large.  The legislature finds
 
20 that it is more appropriate that the public make the decision
 

 
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                                     S.B. NO.           2609
                                                        
                                                        

 
 1 whether to allow legalized gambling in some form.
 
 2      SECTION 2.  At the 2000 general election there shall be an
 
 3 advisory referendum on the question of Hawaii's need for
 
 4 legalized gambling and if so, what form of legalized gambling is
 
 5 preferred.  The chief election officer of the State shall submit
 
 6 two separate questions to the electorate with instructions as
 
 7 follows:
 
 8      1.  The first proposal shall read:  "Shall the State of
 
 9 Hawaii allow some form of legalized gambling?"
 
10      2.  The second proposal shall be submitted in the form of
 
11 three questions and shall read:  "Indicate which forms, if any,
 
12 of legalized gambling of which you approve:
 
13      (a)  Do you support the form of legalized gambling known as
 
14           Pari-mutual racing?
 
15      (b)  Do you support the form of legalized gambling known as
 
16           the State Lottery?
 
17      (c)  Do you support the form of legalized gambling known as
 
18           shipboard gaming?
 
19      (d)  Do you support the form of legalized gambling known as
 
20           casino gaming?
 
21      The chief election officer shall publish a notice of the
 
22 referendum proposals and descriptive information of each type of
 

 
 
 
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                                     S.B. NO.           2609
                                                        
                                                        

 
 1 gambling, in a newspaper of general circulation in the State at
 
 2 least thirty days before the date of the referendum.  The notice
 
 3 of the referendum shall also be available at all public libraries
 
 4 in the State and the office of the county clerk of each county.
 
 5      The ballot shall print the questions and each question shall
 
 6 have designated spaces to mark YES or NO.  The first proposal
 
 7 shall be considered approved only if approved by a majority of
 
 8 all the votes tallied upon the question, this majority
 
 9 constituting more than fifty per cent of the total votes cast at
 
10 the election.
 
11      SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.
 
12 
 
13                              INTRODUCED BY:______________________