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A bill to be entitled

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An act relating to bingo games; amending s. 849.0931,

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F.S.; authorizing the use of electronics or other

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technology in lieu of vocal verification for bingo games;

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amending s. 849.0935, F.S.; revising the definition of

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"organization" to include chambers of commerce; exempting

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chambers of commerce from provisions prohibiting drawings

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by chance; providing an effective date.

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Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:

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     Section 1.  Paragraph (g) of subsection (12) of section

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849.0931, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:

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     849.0931  Bingo authorized; conditions for conduct;

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permitted uses of proceeds; limitations.--

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     (12)  Each bingo game shall be conducted in accordance with

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the following rules:

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     (g)  Numbers on the winning cards or sheets shall be

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announced and verified in the presence of another player.  Any

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player is shall be entitled at the time the winner is determined

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to call for a verification of numbers drawn. The verification

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shall be in the presence of the member designated to be in charge

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of the occasion or, if such person is also the caller, in the

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presence of an officer of the licensee. Verification may also be

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provided through the use of electronic or other commercially

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available technology in lieu of vocal verification. Verification

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by other than vocal means must be confined to the premises at

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which the bingo session is held and may not be transmitted to any

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other location.

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     Section 2.  Paragraph (b) of subsection (1) and subsection

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(2) of section 849.0935, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:

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     849.0935  Charitable, nonprofit organizations; drawings by

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chance; required disclosures; unlawful acts and practices;

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penalties.--

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     (1)  As used in this section, the term:

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     (b) "Organization" means an organization that which is

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exempt from federal income taxation pursuant to 26 U.S.C. s.

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501(c)(3), (4), (7), (8), (10), or (19), or a chamber of commerce

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that is exempt from federal income taxation pursuant to 26 U.S.C.

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s. 501(c)(6), and that which has a current determination letter

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from the Internal Revenue Service, and includes the

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organization's its bona fide members or officers.

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     (2) The provisions of s. 849.09 do shall not be construed

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to prohibit an organization qualified under 26 U.S.C. s.

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501(c)(3), (4), (7), (8), (10), or (19), or a chamber of commerce

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qualified under 26 U.S.C. s. 501(c)(6), from conducting drawings

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by chance pursuant to the authority granted by this section if,

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provided the organization has complied with all applicable

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provisions of chapter 496.

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     Section 3.  This act shall take effect July 1, 2008.