Bill Text: GA HB1011 | 2009-2010 | Regular Session | Introduced

---

Bill Title: Gambling; cruise ships may engage in lawful gambling while in transit; provisions

Spectrum: Moderate Partisan Bill (Republican 5-1)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2010-02-04 - House Committee Favorably Reported [HB1011 Detail]

Download: Georgia-2009-HB1011-Introduced.html

---

10 LC 14 0169

House Bill 1011

By: Representatives Hill of the 180th, Smith of the 168th, Lane of the 167th, Stephens of the 164th, Barnard of the 166th, and others

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT

To amend Part 1 of Article 2 of Chapter 12 of Title 16 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to lawful and unlawful activities involving or related to gambling, so as to provide that cruise ships engaged in lawful gambling activities outside this state may also engage in such activities while in transit in the waters of this state to or from waters outside the state; to provide for conditions and limitations; to provide for related matters; to provide an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:

SECTION 1.

Part 1 of Article 2 of Chapter 12 of Title 16 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to lawful and unlawful activities involving or related to gambling, is amended by adding a new Code section to read as follows:

"16-12-22.2.

(a) Nothing in this part shall apply to or make unlawful gambling activities which take place within the waters of this state on an ocean-going vessel where all of the following conditions are met:

(1) The vessel is at least 160 feet in length;

(2) The vessel is a U.S. flag vessel documented under the laws of the United States;

(3) The vessel regularly engages in use of gambling devices outside the territorial waters of any state as permitted under 15 U.S.C.A. Section 1175 (b)(1)(A);

(4) Either:

(A) The vessel is in transit or preparing for transit from a dock in this state to waters outside this state where gambling activities will be engaged in as described in paragraph (3) of this subsection and permitted under federal law; or

(B) The vessel is in transit to a dock in this state from waters outside this state where gambling activities have been engaged in as described in paragraph (3) of this subsection and permitted under federal law; and

(5) No gambling activities occur on the outgoing portion of a voyage until all passengers have embarked and no gambling activities occur on the incoming portion of a voyage after the vessel is docked."

SECTION 2.

This Act shall become effective upon its approval by the Governor or upon its becoming law without such approval.

SECTION 3.

All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.