GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SESSION 2015

SESSION LAW 2016-27

HOUSE BILL 292

AN ACT to require a license to operate a beach bingo game, to authorize the state bureau of investigation to charge and collect that licensing fee, and to make it A criminal offense to violate the beach bingo licensing requirements.

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

SECTION 1.  G.S. 14‑309.14 is amended by adding the following new subdivision:

"(5) A person shall not operate a beach bingo game at any location without first obtaining a license as provided by this subdivision. Any person operating a beach bingo game without a license is guilty of a Class 2 misdemeanor. The procedure for obtaining an application for a beach bingo license shall be as follows:

a. The application for a beach bingo license shall be made to the State Bureau of Investigation on a form prescribed by the Bureau. The Bureau shall charge an initial application fee of three hundred dollars ($300.00) and an annual renewal fee of three hundred dollars ($300.00) to defray the cost of issuing beach bingo licenses and handling enforcement. The fees collected shall be deposited in the General Fund of the State. This license shall expire one year after the granting of the license but may be renewed yearly upon payment of the renewal fee.

b. Each application and renewal application shall contain all of the following information:

1. The name and address of the applicant and if the applicant is a corporation, association, or other similar legal entity, the name and home address of each of the officers of the organization as well as the name and address of the directors, or other persons similarly situated, of the organization.

2. The location at which the applicant will conduct the bingo games. If the premises are leased, a copy of the lease or rental agreement.

c. Any false information provided in an application for a beach bingo license is cause for suspension of that license and is also a Class 2 misdemeanor.

d. All books, papers, records, and documents relevant to determining whether an individual has acted or is acting in compliance with this section shall be open to inspection by the State Bureau of Investigation at reasonable times and during reasonable hours."

SECTION 2.  The State Bureau of Investigation may take the necessary actions to develop and implement the application process. Beginning October 1, 2016, the State Bureau of Investigation may accept applications, charge and collect application fees, and issue licenses as provided by G.S. 14‑309.14(5), as enacted by this act.

SECTION 3.  The Revisor of Statutes is directed to replace any reference to the "Department of Public Safety" with the "State Bureau of Investigation" wherever it appears in Part 2 of Article 37 of Chapter 14 of the General Statutes.

SECTION 4.  G.S. 14‑309(5)c., as enacted by Section 1 of this act, becomes effective October 1, 2016, and applies to applications submitted on or after October 1, 2016, and offenses committed on or after that date. The remainder of Section 1 of this act becomes effective December 1, 2016, and applies to offenses committed on or after that date. The remainder of this act is effective when it becomes law.

In the General Assembly read three times and ratified this the 21^st day of June, 2016.

                                                                    s/  Daniel J. Forest

                                                                         President of the Senate

                                                                    s/  Tim Moore

                                                                         Speaker of the House of Representatives

                                                                    s/  Pat McCrory

                                                                         Governor

Approved 4:03 p.m. this 22^nd day of June, 2016