MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2023 Regular Session

To: Gaming; Appropriations

By: Representatives Eure, Felsher

House Bill 606

(As Sent to Governor)

AN ACT TO CREATE THE MOBILE-ONLINE SPORTS BETTING TASK FORCE; TO PROVIDE THE PURPOSES OF THE TASK FORCE; TO DESIGNATE THE CO-CHAIRS OF THE TASK FORCE; TO PROVIDE FOR THE APPOINTED MEMBERS TO THE TASK FORCE; TO PROVIDE FOR A REPORT; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

     SECTION 1.  (1)  There is hereby created the Mobile-Online Sports Betting Task Force to undertake a comprehensive analysis of all matters related to online sports betting within this state.  The task force shall be co-chaired by the House Gaming Committee Chair and the Senate Gaming Committee Chair and shall be composed of a total of thirteen (13) members, with eleven (11) members to be appointed as follows:

          (a)  The Executive Director of the Mississippi Gaming Commission or a designee;

          (b)  The Commissioner of the Department of Revenue or a designee;

          (c)  The Chairman of the Mississippi Gaming and Hospitality Association or his/her designee;

          (d)  Three (3) members appointed by the Chair of the Senate Gaming Committee, at least one (1) of whom must be a licensed casino operator in the state;

          (e)  Three (3) members appointed by the Chair of the House Gaming Committee, at least one (1) of whom must be a licensed casino operator in the state;

          (f)  A member of the House Gaming Committee appointed by the Chair of the House Gaming Committee; and

          (g)  A member of the Senate Gaming Committee appointed by the Chair of the Senate Gaming Committee.

     (2)  The members of the task force shall be appointed within thirty (30) days of the effective date of this act.  Any vacancy in the task force shall not affect its powers, but shall be filled as prescribed in subsection (1) of this section.  The task force shall hold its first meeting within sixty (60) days of the effective date of this act, on a joint call of the chairmen of the task force.  A majority of the membership of the task force shall constitute a quorum, and shall meet at the call of the chairmen.  All members must be notified in writing of all meetings at least five (5) days before the date on which a meeting of the task force is scheduled.

     (3)  The members of the task force shall serve without compensation.

     (4)  The PEER Committee shall prepare and submit a final report that contains a detailed statement of findings, conclusions and recommendations of the task force as jointly approved by the co-chairmen to the Legislature by December 15, 2023.  The report shall be made available to the public.

     SECTION 2.  This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2023.