ANONYMOUS LOTTERY WINNERS

House Bill 4433

Sponsor:  Rep. Ray Franz

Committee:  Regulatory Reform

Complete to 4-27-15

SUMMARY:

House Bill 4433 would amend Section 25 of the McCauley-Traxler-Law-Bowman-McNeely Lottery Act to prohibit the lottery commissioner, or an officer or employee of the bureau, from disclosing certain information about an individual who has won a lottery prize unless that individual agrees in writing to the disclosure. Currently, this prohibition only exists for individuals who have won lottery prizes of more than $10,000.  The bill also would make other technical changes that would not affect the meaning of the act.

FISCAL IMPACT:

House Bill 4433 would have an indeterminate fiscal impact on lottery revenues and subsequent distributions to the School Aid Fund.  According to the Michigan Bureau of State Lottery, the bill would have a negative fiscal impact as it relates to the Bureau’s ability to generate publicity and advertise prizes won for multi-state games (Mega Millions, Powerball, and Lucky for Life).  The Bureau of State Lottery has indicated that this will likely have a negative impact on sales, thereby reducing the annual distribution to the School Aid Fund.  In FY 2014, the distribution to the School Aid Fund totaled $742.8 million.

There would be no administrative costs associated with the changes required under the provisions of the bill.

                                                                                        Legislative Analyst:   Josh Roesner

                                                                                                Fiscal Analyst:   Ben Gielczyk

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