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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; authorizing an organization to place signs at a

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bingo game event disclosing certain required information;

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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 subsections

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(2) and (3) of section 849.0935, Florida Statutes, are amended to

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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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     (3)  All brochures, advertisements, notices, tickets, or

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entry blanks used in connection with a drawing by chance shall

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conspicuously disclose:

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     (a)  The rules governing the conduct and operation of the

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drawing.

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     (b)  The full name of the organization and its principal

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place of business.

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     (c)  The source of the funds used to award cash prizes or to

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purchase prizes.

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     (d)  The date, hour, and place where the winner will be

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chosen and the prizes will be awarded, unless the brochures,

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advertisements, notices, tickets, or entry blanks are not offered

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to the public more than 3 days prior to the drawing.

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     (e)  That no purchase or contribution is necessary.

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When an organization is conducting a drawing by chance and the

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tickets are offered only at the location where prizes are to be

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awarded and are offered 3 hours or less before the awarding of

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prizes, the organization may, in lieu of printing the requirement

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of paragraphs (a)-(e) on all items relating to the drawing, place

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at least three signs conspicuously disclosing the information

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required in paragraphs (a)-(e) at the event location.

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