Non-profits and religious organizations have one main issue between them, no matter the agenda or affiliation. It’s to have the state law changes on raffles and “social gambling” to allow for fundraising opportunities. Seriously, wouldn’t you drop $20 to participate in an Historic Columbia poker tournament? Of course you would. And, these organizations have a man on the inside. Rep. Jimmy Merrill has appeared as the guardian angel of these low-funded but well-meaning groups, submitting three bills to legalize what needs to be.
Hey, non-profits! GET YOU SOME!
H. 4267: A BILL TO AMEND CHAPTER 19, TITLE 16, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO GAMBLING AND LOTTERIES, SO AS TO AMEND EXISTING LAWS ON UNLAWFUL LOTTERIES AND GAMBLING BY ORGANIZING EXISTING LAWS INTO ARTICLE 1, AND TO ADD DEFINITIONS; TO INCREASE AND MAKE UNIFORM PENALTIES FOR UNLAWFUL LOTTERIES AND GAMBLING; TO PROVIDE THAT SOCIAL GAMBLING IS NOT UNLAWFUL, AND TO CLARIFY THAT GAMES OF SKILL OR CHANCE IN WHICH NO BETTING OCCURS ARE NOT UNLAWFUL; BY ADDING ARTICLE 3, SO AS TO ALLOW CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS TO CONDUCT RAFFLES AND SPECIAL LIMITED CHARITY FUNDRAISING EVENTS; TO DEFINE THESE EVENTS; TO DEFINE THE TYPE OF ORGANIZATION ALLOWED TO CONDUCT THESE EVENTS; TO PROVIDE STANDARDS FOR THE MANAGEMENT AND CONDUCT OF THESE EVENTS; TO PROVIDE PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS; AND TO PROVIDE FOR THE MANNER IN WHICH THESE PROVISIONS SHALL TAKE EFFECT.
H. 4270: A JOINT RESOLUTION PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO SECTION 7, ARTICLE XVII OF THE CONSTITUTION OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1895, RELATING TO THE PROHIBITION ON LOTTERIES AND THE EXCEPTIONS TO THIS PROHIBITION, BY ADDING A NEW PARAGRAPH SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY SHALL ENACT A GENERAL LAW AUTHORIZING A CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION TO CONDUCT A RAFFLE, AND WHICH DEFINES THE TYPE OF ORGANIZATION ALLOWED TO CONDUCT A RAFFLE, PROVIDES THE STANDARDS FOR THE CONDUCT AND MANAGEMENT OF THE RAFFLE, PROVIDES PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS, AND ENSURES THE PROPER FUNCTIONING, HONESTY, INTEGRITY, AND CHARITABLE PURPOSES FOR WHICH THE RAFFLE IS CONDUCTED, AND TO PROVIDE THAT A RAFFLE CONDUCTED IN CONFORMITY WITH LAWS ENACTED PURSUANT TO THIS PARAGRAPH IS NOT CONSIDERED A LOTTERY PROHIBITED BY THE CONSTITUTION.
H. 4245: A JOINT RESOLUTION PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO SECTION 7, ARTICLE XVII OF THE CONSTITUTION OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1895, RELATING TO THE PROHIBITION ON LOTTERIES AND THE EXCEPTIONS TO THIS PROHIBITION, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY MAY ALLOW RAFFLES TO BE CONDUCTED BY CHARITABLE OR NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS AND BY GENERAL LAW MUST DEFINE THE TYPE OF ORGANIZATION ALLOWED TO CONDUCT RAFFLES, PROVIDE THE STANDARDS FOR THE CONDUCT AND MANAGEMENT OF THE RAFFLES, PROVIDE PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS, AND PROVIDE FOR ANY OTHER LAW NECESSARY TO ASSURE THE PROPER FUNCTIONING, HONESTY, INTEGRITY, AND CHARITABLE PURPOSES FOR WHICH THE RAFFLES ARE CONDUCTED.
