COMPULSIVE GAMING PREVENTION FUND

House Bill 6059

Sponsor:  Rep. Gary McDowell

Committee:  Appropriations

Complete to 9-17-08

A SUMMARY OF HOUSE BILL 6059 AS INTRODUCED 5-6-08

The bill would amend the Compulsive Gaming Prevention Act by establishing an earmark of $1,040,000 in fund revenue from the Compulsive Gaming Prevention Fund (CGPF) to the Domestic Violence Prevention and Treatment Board.  This replaces an existing earmark in current law of $40,000 for the Domestic Abuse Council.

MCL 432.253

FISCAL IMPACT:

The Domestic Violence Prevention and Treatment Board resides within the Department of Human Services, and the fiscal year 2008-09 budget act already includes this adjustment in funding for the board's programs.  The increased revenue from the CGPF offset GF/GP financing of these programs, and so resulted in GF/GP savings.  The board administers a number of federal grant programs related to domestic violence issues (e.g. shelters, counseling, educational programs).

The CGPF itself is administered through the Department of Community Health.  Information from the DCH indicates fund revenues exceeded expenditures by $1.3 million in FY 2006-07, which increased the available carry-forward balance of the fund to $3.56 million at the close of FY 2006-07.  Revenues also exceeded expenditures in FY 2005-06 by about $250,000, and in FY 2004-05 by around $370,000.  Depending upon future expenditure levels from the fund, the additional allocation to the Domestic Violence and Treatment Board could reduce and eventually eliminate the currently available fund balance.

However, current law does allow the director of the Department of Community Health to assess a fee on the 3 casinos licensed under the Michigan Gaming and Control Revenue Act by the additional amount needed to adequately fund services required under the act if the director determines current fund revenue is inadequate.

                                                                                                                       

                                                                                                  Fiscal Analyst:   Bob Schneider

■ This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan House staff for use by House members in their deliberations, and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.