2014 -- S 3056

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LC005821

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2014

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- AUTHORIZING STATE-

OPERATED CASINO GAMING AT NEWPORT GRAND SUBJECT TO STATEWIDE AND

LOCAL VOTER APPROVAL

     

     Introduced By: Senators Goodwin, Felag, and Bates

     Date Introduced: June 03, 2014

     Referred To: Senate Finance

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Sections 42-61.2-2.2 and 42-61.2-7 of the General Laws in Chapter 42-61.2

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entitled "Video Lottery Terminal" are hereby amended to read as follows:

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     42-61.2-2.2. State authorized to operate casino gaming at Newport Grand. -- (a)

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State-operated casino gaming shall be authorized at the facility of the licensed video lottery

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terminal retailer known as "Newport Grand" located in the town city of Newport; provided, that :

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     (1) That the requirements of Article VI, Section 22 of the Rhode Island Constitution are

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met with respect to said facility at the general election next to be held after enactment of this

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section. in November of 2014; and

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     (2) That the proposed amendment to the Rhode Island Constitution requiring that prior to

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a change in location where gambling is permitted in any city or town, there must be a referendum

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in said city or town and approval by the majority of those electors voting in said referendum on

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said proposed change in location in said city or town, is also approved statewide at the statewide

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general election to be held in November of 2014.

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      (b) With respect to the Newport Grand facility, the authorization of this section 2.2 shall

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be effective upon:

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      (1) The certification by the secretary of state that the qualified voters of the state have

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approved the expansion of gambling at such facility to include casino gaming and also approved

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the amendment to the Rhode Island Constitution regarding a change in the location of where

 

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gambling is permitted in any city or town; and

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      (2) The certification by the board of canvassers of the city of Newport that the qualified

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electors of the city of Newport have approved the expansion of gambling at such facility to

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include casino gaming.

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      (c) The general assembly finds that:

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      (1) The operation of casino gaming at Newport Grand will play a critical role in the

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economy of the state and enhance local revenues;

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      (2) Pursuant to Article VI, Section 15 of the Rhode Island Constitution and the specific

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powers, authorities and safeguards set forth in subsection (c) herein in connection with the

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operation of casino gaming, the state shall have full operational control over the specified

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location, subject to the restrictions of Article V, Section 22 of the Rhode Island Constitution, at

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which casino gaming shall be conducted;

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      (3) It is in the best interest of the state to have the authorization to operate casino gaming

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as specified at Newport Grand;

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      (4) Pursuant to the provisions of subdivision 42-61.2-2.1(b)(4), and by action of the

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governor, an extensive analysis and evaluation of competitive casino-gaming operations was

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completed, which concluded that the viability of Newport Grand as a video lottery terminal

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facility is threatened by the location of casino gaming in Southeast Massachusetts.

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      (5) The legislature shall, has by enactment of comprehensive legislation, during the 2012

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and 2014 sessions, session, determine determined the terms and conditions pursuant to which

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casino gaming would be operated in the state if it is authorized as set forth herein.

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      (d) Notwithstanding the provisions of any other law and pursuant to Article VI, Section

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15 of the Rhode Island Constitution, the state is authorized, subject to the restrictions of Article

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V, Section 22 of the Rhode Island Constitution, to operate, conduct and control casino gaming at

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Newport Grand subject to subsection (a) above. In furtherance thereof, the state, through the

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division of state lottery and/or the department of business regulation, shall have full operational

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control to operate the foregoing facilities, the authority to make all decisions about all aspects of

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the functioning of the business enterprise, including, without limitation, the power and authority

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to:

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      (1) Determine the number, type, placement and arrangement of casino-gaming games,

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tables and sites within the facility;

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      (2) Establish with respect to casino gaming one or more systems for linking, tracking,

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deposit and reporting of receipts, audits, annual reports, prohibitive conduct and other such

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matters determined from time to time;

 

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      (3) Collect all receipts from casino gaming, require that Newport Grand collect casino-

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gaming gross receipts in trust for the state through the division of state lottery, deposit such

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receipts into an account or accounts of its choice, allocate such receipts according to law, and

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otherwise maintain custody and control over all casino-gaming receipts and funds;

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      (4) Hold and exercise sufficient powers over Newport Grand's accounting and finances

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to allow for adequate oversight and verification of the financial aspects of casino gaming at the

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facility, including, without limitation:

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      (i) The right to require Newport Grand to maintain an annual balance sheet, profit and

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loss, and any other necessary information or reports; and

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      (ii) The authority and power to conduct periodic compliance or special or focused audits

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of the information or reports provided, as well as the premises with the facility containing records

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of casino gaming or in which the business of Newport Grand's casino-gaming operations are

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conducted;

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      (5) Monitor all casino-gaming operations and have the power to terminate or suspend

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any casino-gaming activities in the event of an integrity concern or other threat to the public trust,

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and in furtherance thereof, require the licensed video lottery retailer to provide a specified area or

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areas from which to conduct such monitoring activities;

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      (6) Define and limit the rules of play and odds of authorized casino-gaming games,

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including, without limitation, the minimum and maximum wagers for each casino-gaming game;

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      (7) Have approval rights over matters relating to the employment of individuals to be

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involved, directly or indirectly, with the operation of casino gaming at Newport Grand;

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      (8) Establish compulsive gambling treatment programs;

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      (9) Promulgate, or propose for promulgation, any legislative, interpretive and procedural

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rules necessary for the successful implementation, administration and enforcement of this

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chapter; and

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      (10) Hold all other powers necessary and proper to fully effectively execute and

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administer the provisions of this chapter for its purpose of allowing the state to operate a casino-

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gaming facility through a licensed video lottery retailer hosting said casino gaming on behalf of

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the state of Rhode Island.

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      (e) Subject to subsection (a) above, the state, through the division of state lottery and/or

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the department of business regulation, may expand Newport Grand's existing video lottery license

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issued, or issue Newport Grand a new casino-gaming license, to permit casino gaming to the

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extent authorized by this act.

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      (f) Subject to subsection (a) above, all rules and regulations shall be promulgated by the

 

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state, through the division of state lottery and the department of business regulation, in

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accordance with the authority conferred upon the general assembly pursuant to Article VI,

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Section 15 of the Rhode Island Constitution. In accord therewith, subject to subsection (a) above,

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the state, through the division of state lottery and/or the department of business regulation, shall

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have authority to issue such regulations as it deems appropriate pertaining to control, operation

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and management of casino gaming as specifically set forth in subsections (b), (c) and (d).

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     (g) Any referendum in the city of Newport regarding the expanding of types or locations

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of gambling in said city as provided for in subsection (a) of this section shall become effective

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only upon the approval of an amendment to the Rhode Island Constitution requiring that, prior to

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a change in location where gambling is permitted in any city or town, there must be a referendum

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in said city or town and the approval of the majority of those electors voting in said referendum

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on said proposed change in location in said city or town.

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     42-61.2-7. Division of revenue. [Effective June 30, 2011.] -- (a) Notwithstanding the

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provisions of section 42-61-15, the allocation of net terminal income derived from video lottery

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games is as follows:

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      (1) For deposit in the general fund and to the state lottery division fund for

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administrative purposes: Net terminal income not otherwise disbursed in accordance with

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subdivisions (a)(2) -- (a)(6) herein;

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      (i) Except for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2008, nineteen one hundredths of one

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percent (0.19%) up to a maximum of twenty million dollars ($20,000,000) shall be equally

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allocated to the distressed communities as defined in section 45-13-12 provided that no eligible

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community shall receive more than twenty-five percent (25%) of that community's currently

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enacted municipal budget as its share under this specific subsection. Distributions made under

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this specific subsection are supplemental to all other distributions made under any portion of

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general laws section 45-13-12. For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2008 distributions by

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community shall be identical to the distributions made in the fiscal year ending June 30, 2007 and

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shall be made from general appropriations. For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2009, the total

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state distribution shall be the same total amount distributed in the fiscal year ending June 30,

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2008 and shall be made from general appropriations. For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2010, the

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total state distribution shall be the same total amount distributed in the fiscal year ending June 30,

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2009 and shall be made from general appropriations, provided however that $784,458 of the total

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appropriation shall be distributed equally to each qualifying distressed community. For each of

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the fiscal years ending June 30, 2011, June 30, 2012, and June 30, 2013 seven hundred eighty-

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four thousand four hundred fifty-eight dollars ($784,458) of the total appropriation shall be

 

LC005821 - Page 4 of 10

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distributed equally to each qualifying distressed community.

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      (ii) Five one hundredths of one percent (0.05%) up to a maximum of five million dollars

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($5,000,000) shall be appropriated to property tax relief to fully fund the provisions of section 44-

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33-2.1. The maximum credit defined in subdivision 44-33-9(2) shall increase to the maximum

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amount to the nearest five dollar ($5.00) increment within the allocation until a maximum credit

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of five hundred dollars ($500) is obtained. In no event shall the exemption in any fiscal year be

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less than the prior fiscal year.

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      (iii) One and twenty-two one hundredths of one percent (1.22%) to fund section 44-34.1-

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1, entitled "Motor Vehicle and Trailer Excise Tax Elimination Act of 1998", to the maximum

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amount to the nearest two hundred fifty dollar ($250) increment within the allocation. In no event

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shall the exemption in any fiscal year be less than the prior fiscal year.

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      (iv) Except for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2008, ten one hundredths of one percent

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(0.10%) to a maximum of ten million dollars ($10,000,000) for supplemental distribution to

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communities not included in paragraph (a)(1)(i) above distributed proportionately on the basis of

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general revenue sharing distributed for that fiscal year. For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2008

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distributions by community shall be identical to the distributions made in the fiscal year ending

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June 30, 2007 and shall be made from general appropriations. For the fiscal year ending June 30,

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2009, no funding shall be disbursed. For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2010 and thereafter,

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funding shall be determined by appropriation.

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      (2) To the licensed video lottery retailer:

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      (a) (i) Prior to the effective date of the NGJA Master Contract, Newport Jai Ali twenty-

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six percent (26%) minus three hundred eighty four thousand nine hundred ninety-six dollars

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($384,996);

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      (ii) On and after the effective date of the NGJA Master Contract, to the licensed video

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lottery retailer who is a party to the NGJA Master Contract, all sums due and payable under said

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Master Contract minus three hundred eighty four thousand nine hundred ninety-six dollars

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($384,996).

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      (iii) Effective July 1, 2013 the rate of net terminal income payable to Newport Grand,

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LLC under the Newport Grand Master Contract shall increase by two and one quarter percent

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(2.25%) points. The increase herein shall sunset and expire on June 30, 2015 and the rate in effect

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as of June 30, 2013 shall be reinstated.

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      (b) (i) Prior to the effective date of the UTGR Master Contract, to the present licensed

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video lottery retailer at Lincoln Park which is not a party to the UTGR Master Contract, twenty-

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eight and eighty-five one hundredths percent (28.85%) minus seven hundred sixty-seven

 

LC005821 - Page 5 of 10

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thousand six hundred eighty-seven dollars ($767,687);

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      (ii) On and after the effective date of the UTGR Master Contract, to the licensed video

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lottery retailer who is a party to the UTGR Master Contract, all sums due and payable under said

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Master Contract minus seven hundred sixty-seven thousand six hundred eighty-seven dollars

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($767,687).

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      (3) (i) To the technology providers who are not a party to the GTECH Master Contract

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as set forth and referenced in Public Law 2003, Chapter 32, seven percent (7%) of the net

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terminal income of the provider's terminals; in addition thereto, technology providers who

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provide premium or licensed proprietary content or those games that have unique characteristics

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such as 3D graphics, unique math/game play features or merchandising elements to video lottery

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terminals may receive incremental compensation, either in the form of a daily fee or as an

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increased percentage, if all of the following criteria are met:

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      (A) A licensed video lottery retailer has requested the placement of premium or licensed

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proprietary content at its licensed video lottery facility;

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      (B) The division of lottery has determined in its sole discretion that the request is likely

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to increase net terminal income or is otherwise important to preserve or enhance the

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competiveness of the licensed video lottery retailer;

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      (C) After approval of the request by the division of lottery, the total number of premium

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or licensed propriety content video lottery terminals does not exceed ten percent (10%) of the

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total number of video lottery terminals authorized at the respective licensed video lottery retailer;

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and

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      (D) All incremental costs are shared between the division and the respective licensed

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video lottery retailer based upon their proportionate allocation of net terminal income. The

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division of lottery is hereby authorized to amend agreements with the licensed video lottery

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retailers, or the technology providers, as applicable, to effect the intent herein.

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      (ii) To contractors who are a party to the Master Contract as set forth and referenced in

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Public Law 2003, Chapter 32, all sums due and payable under said Master Contract;

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      (iii) Notwithstanding paragraphs (i) and (ii) above, there shall be subtracted

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proportionately from the payments to technology providers the sum of six hundred twenty-eight

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thousand seven hundred thirty-seven dollars ($628,737);

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      (4) (A) To the city of Newport one and one hundredth percent (1.01%) of net terminal

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income of authorized machines at Newport Grand, except that:

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      (i) Effective November 9, 2009 until June 30, 2013, the allocation shall be one and two

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tenths percent (1.2%) of net terminal income of authorized machines at Newport Grand for each

 

LC005821 - Page 6 of 10

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week the facility operates video lottery games on a twenty-four (24) hour basis for all eligible

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hours authorized, and

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      (ii) Effective July 1, 2013 2015, provided that both:

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     (I) The the referendum measure authorized by Section 1 of Chapters 24 and 25 of the

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Public Laws of 2012 is approved statewide and in the City of Newport, authorizing casino

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gaming at Newport Grand is approved statewide and by the city of Newport at the statewide

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general election to be held in November of 2014; and

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     (II) The proposed amendment to the Rhode Island Constitution requiring that prior to a

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change in location where gambling is permitted in any city or town, there must be a referendum

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in said city or town and approval by the majority of those electors voting in said referendum on

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said proposed change in location in said city or town, is approved statewide at the statewide

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general election to be held in November of 2014, in which event then the allocation shall be one

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and forty-five hundredths percent (1.45%) of net terminal income of authorized video lottery

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terminals at Newport Grand; and

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      (B) To the town of Lincoln one and twenty-six hundredths percent (1.26%) of net

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terminal income of authorized machines at Twin River except that,

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      (i) Effective November 9, 2009 until June 30, 2013, the allocation shall be one and forty-

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five hundredths percent (1.45%) of net terminal income of authorized machines at Twin River for

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each week video lottery games are offered on a twenty-four (24) hour basis for all eligible hours

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authorized, and

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      (ii) Effective July 1, 2013, provided that the referendum measure authorized by Article

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25, Chapter 151, Section 4 of the Public Laws of 2011 is approved statewide and in the Town of

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Lincoln, the allocation shall be one and forty-five hundredths percent (1.45%) of net terminal

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income of authorized video lottery terminals at Twin River; and

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      (5) To the Narragansett Indian Tribe, seventeen hundredths of one percent (0.17%) of net

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terminal income of authorized machines at Lincoln Park up to a maximum of ten million dollars

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($10,000,000) per year, which shall be paid to the Narragansett Indian Tribe for the account of a

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Tribal Development Fund to be used for the purpose of encouraging and promoting: home

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ownership and improvement, elderly housing, adult vocational training; health and social

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services; childcare; natural resource protection; and economic development consistent with state

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law. Provided, however, such distribution shall terminate upon the opening of any gaming facility

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in which the Narragansett Indians are entitled to any payments or other incentives; and provided

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further, any monies distributed hereunder shall not be used for, or spent on previously contracted

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debts; and

 

LC005821 - Page 7 of 10

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      (6) Unclaimed prizes and credits shall remit to the general fund of the state; and

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      (7) Payments into the state's general fund specified in subdivisions (a)(1) and (a)(6) shall

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be made on an estimated monthly basis. Payment shall be made on the tenth day following the

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close of the month except for the last month when payment shall be on the last business day.

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      (b) Notwithstanding the above, the amounts payable by the Division to UTGR related to

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the Marketing Program shall be paid on a frequency agreed by the Division, but no less

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frequently than annually.

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      (c) Notwithstanding anything in this chapter 61.2 of this title 42 to the contrary, the

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Director is authorized to fund the Marketing Program as described above in regard to the First

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Amendment to the UTGR Master Contract.

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      (d) Notwithstanding the above, the amounts payable by the Division to Newport Grand

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related to the Marketing Program shall be paid on a frequency agreed by the Division, but no less

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frequently than annually.

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      (e) Notwithstanding anything in this chapter 61.2 of this title 42 to the contrary, the

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Director is authorized to fund the Marketing Program as described above in regard to the First

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Amendment to the Newport Grand Master Contract.

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      (f) Notwithstanding the provisions of section 42-61-15, the allocation of Net Table Game

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Revenue derived from Table Games at Twin River is as follows:

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      (1) For deposit into the state lottery fund for administrative purposes and then the

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balance remaining into the general fund:

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      (i) Sixteen percent (16%) of Net Table Game Revenue, except as provided in subsection

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(f)(1)(ii);

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      (ii) An additional two percent (2%) of Net Table Game Revenue generated at Twin

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River shall be allocated starting from the commencement of Table Game activities by such Table

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Game Retailer, and ending, with respect to such Table Game Retailer, on the first date that such

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Table Game Retailer's net terminal income for a full State fiscal year is less than such Table

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Game Retailer's net terminal income for the prior State fiscal year, at which point this additional

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allocation to the State shall no longer apply to such Table Game Retailer.

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      (2) To UTGR, Net Table Game Revenue not otherwise disbursed pursuant to above

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subsection (f)(1); provided, however, on the first date that such Table Game Retailer's net

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terminal income for a full State fiscal year is less than such Table Game Retailer's net terminal

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income for the prior State fiscal year, as set forth in subsection (f)(1)(ii) above, one percent (1%)

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of this Net Table Game Revenue shall be allocated to the town of Lincoln for four (4) consecutive

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State fiscal years.

 

LC005821 - Page 8 of 10

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      (g) Notwithstanding the provisions of section 42-61-15, the allocation of Net Table

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Game Revenue derived from Table Games at Newport Grand is as follows:

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      (1) For deposit into the state lottery fund for administrative purposes and then the

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balance remaining into the general fund: eighteen percent (18%) of Net Table Game Revenue.

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      (2) To Newport Grand LLC, Net Table Game Revenue not otherwise disbursed pursuant

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to above subsection (g)(1) provided, however, on the first date that such Table Game Retailer's

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net terminal income for a full State fiscal year is less than such Table Game Retailer's net

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terminal income for the prior State fiscal year, one percent (1%) of this Net Table Game Revenue

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shall be allocated to the city of Newport for four (4) consecutive State fiscal years.

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     SECTION 2. Pursuant to Article VI, section 22 of the Rhode Island Constitution, the

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following question shall be submitted by the secretary of state to the qualified electors of the state

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at the statewide general election to be held in November of 2014, and the secretary of state shall

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certify the election results:

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     "Shall an act be approved which would authorize the facility known as 'Newport Grand'

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in the city of Newport to add state-operated casino gaming, such as table games, to the types of

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gambling it offers only and exclusively at the facility located at 150 Admiral Kalbfus Road,

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Newport?"

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     SECTION 3. Pursuant to Article VI, section 22 of the Rhode Island Constitution, the

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following question shall be submitted by the local board of canvassers to the qualified electors of

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the city of Newport at the statewide general election to be held in November of 2014, and the

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results thereof shall be certified to the secretary of state:

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     "Shall an act be approved which would authorize the facility known as 'Newport Grand'

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in the city of Newport to add state-operated casino gaming, such as table games, to the types of

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gambling it offers only and exclusively at the facility located at 150 Admiral Kalbfus Road,

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Newport?"

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     SECTION 4. Unless otherwise amended by this act, the terms, conditions, provisions,

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and definitions of chapters 322 and 323 of the public laws of 2005 and chapter 16 of the public

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laws of 2010 are hereby incorporated herein by reference and shall remain in full force and effect.

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     SECTION 5. The question, to be submitted to the qualified electors relating to the

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expansion of gaming at Newport Grand, shall appear on the ballots as the first referendum

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question. The question to be submitted to the qualified electors relating to the amendment to the

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Rhode Island Constitution regarding the location of gambling in a municipality shall appear on

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the ballots as the second referendum question.

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     SECTION 6. This act shall take effect upon passage. Provided, the provisions of Section

 

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1 of this act shall remain in effect only if the question submitted to the voters at the general

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election to be held in November of 2014 relating to the expansion of gaming at Newport Grand is

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approved by a majority of the electors voting both statewide and in the city of Newport, and if the

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amendment to the Rhode Island Constitution regarding the location of gambling in a municipality

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submitted to the voters in the same election is approved by a majority to the electors voting

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statewide. In the event either or both questions does not receive sufficient voter approval to take

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effect, then the provisions of Section 1 of this act shall be repealed upon the certification by the

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Secretary of State of the results of said votes.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- AUTHORIZING STATE-

OPERATED CASINO GAMING AT NEWPORT GRAND SUBJECT TO STATEWIDE AND

LOCAL VOTER APPROVAL

***

1

     This act would authorize a voter referendum on the approval of state-operated casino

2

gaming at the Newport Grand facility. Such referendum would take place at the statewide

3

general election to be held in November of 2014. Such expansion could only take place if, in

4

addition to state and local voter approval of the referendum, there was also statewide voter

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approval of a constitutional amendment dealing with changes in the location of where gambling is

6

permitted in any city or town. The act would also amend the allocation of net terminal income of

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authorized video lottery terminals at Newport Grand, if both measures pass.

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     This act would take effect upon passage. Provided, the provisions of Section 1 of this act

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would remain in effect only if the question submitted to the voters at the general election to be

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held in November of 2014 relating to the expansion of gaming at Newport Grand is approved by

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a majority of the electors voting both statewide and in the city of Newport, and if the amendment

12

to the Rhode Island Constitution regarding the location of gambling in a municipality submitted

13

to the voters in the same election, is approved by a majority of the electors voting statewide. In

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the event either or both questions does not receive sufficient voter approval to take effect, then

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the provisions of Section 1 of this act would be repealed upon the certification by the Secretary of

16

State of the results of said votes.

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