HF 1654

as introduced - 87th Legislature (2011 - 2012) Posted on 05/04/2011 09:28am

A bill for an act
relating to gambling; requiring a study and report on the social and economic
costs of gambling in Minnesota; appropriating money.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1. SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC COSTS OF GAMBLING.

Subdivision 1.

Study.

The commissioner of human services shall coordinate
a statewide study on the social and economic costs of gambling in Minnesota. The
commissioner shall consult with individuals and entities with expertise in issues provided
in subdivision 2. The commissioner shall consult with at least one individual or entity
with expertise on gambling in each of the following areas: economics, sociology, mental
health, crime, and statistics. No individual or entity contributing to the study shall have
a financial interest in gambling.

Subd. 2.

Issues to be addressed.

The study must address:

(1) state, local, and tribal government policies and practices in Minnesota to legalize
or prohibit gambling;

(2) the relationship between gambling and crime in Minnesota, including: (i) the
relationship between gambling and overall crime rates; (ii) the relationship between
gambling and crimes rates for specific crimes, such as forgery, domestic abuse, child
neglect and abuse, alcohol and drug offenses, and youth crime; and (iii) enforcement
and regulation practices that are intended to address the relationship between gambling
and levels of crime;

(3) the relationship between expanded gambling and increased rates of problem
gambling in Minnesota, including the impact of pathological or problem gambling on
individuals, families, businesses, social institutions, and the economy;

(4) the social impact of gambling on individuals, families, businesses, and social
institutions in Minnesota, including an analysis of the relationship between gambling and
depression, abuse, divorce, homelessness, suicide, and bankruptcy;

(5) the economic impact of gambling on state, local, and tribal economies in
Minnesota; and

(6) any other issues deemed necessary in assessing the social and economic impact
of gambling in Minnesota.

Subd. 3.

Quantification of social and economic impact.

The study shall quantify
the social and economic impact on both (1) state, local, and tribal governments in
Minnesota, and (2) Minnesota's communities and social institutions, including individuals,
families, and businesses within those communities and institutions.

Subd. 4.

Report.

The commissioner shall coordinate the findings and
recommendations of each individual and entity participating in the study and compile a
comprehensive report. The commissioner shall submit the report to the legislature and the
governor by December 1, 2011.

Sec. 2. APPROPRIATION.

$....... in fiscal year 2012 is appropriated from the lottery prize fund to the
commissioner of human services for the purposes of section 1.

Sec. 3. EFFECTIVE DATE.

This act is effective the day following final enactment.