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Bill

A 1061

Establishes the community literacy fund

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Rebecca Kassay and 1 co-sponsor

Allows licensed raffle licensees to conduct Queen of Hearts raffles, with LGCCC rulemaking, weekly draws, and 50% of proceeds kept by licensees if the Queen is found.

REFERRED TO EDUCATION
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Bill Summary · A 1061

Summary of Assembly Bill A 1061 (Introduction: Jan 9, 2024)

Note: The title listed for A 1061 is “Establishes the community literacy fund,” but the introduced text in this version concerns authorizing Queen of Hearts raffle games. This summary reflects the introduced content as provided and its substantive provisions.

Purpose and intent

  • Permit licensed raffle licensees to conduct a new type of raffle game called a Queen of Hearts raffle.
  • Delegates rulemaking authority to the Legalized Games of Chance Control Commission (LGCCC) to establish requirements for these raffles under the existing Raffles Licensing Law.

Key provisions

  • Regulatory authorization

    • The LGCCC must adopt regulations, under the Administrative Procedure Act, to authorize licensees to hold and conduct Queen of Hearts raffle games.
    • Regulations may specify any required conduct rules deemed necessary.

  • Definition and mechanics of a Queen of Hearts raffle

    • Uses a Queen of Hearts raffle board with 54 cards placed facedown, side-by-side, and secured by a transparent cover.
    • Players purchase tickets; a winning ticket drawn at random entitles the holder to “Search for the Queen of Hearts” by selecting a facedown card.
    • If the selected card is not the Queen of Hearts: the card is out of play, and the holder receives a cash prize according to a schedule established in regulation.
    • If the Queen of Hearts is selected: the winner receives 50% of the prize, and the remaining 50% is retained by the licensee as proceeds from conducting the raffle.
    • Draws occur weekly until the Queen of Hearts is selected.

  • Eligibility and licensing framework

    • Applies within the existing framework in which municipalities with voter-approved raffle referenda license eligible organizations to conduct raffles.
    • Eligible organizations remain those historically eligible under the Raffles Licensing Law (e.g., veterans associations, churches, charitable/educational/fraternal organizations, civic/service clubs, senior citizen associations, volunteer fire/first aid squads).

  • Effective date

    • The act is stated to take effect immediately.

Who is affected

  • Eligible nonprofit and community organizations currently licensed to conduct raffles under New Jersey law (including veterans groups, churches, charitable/educational/fraternal organizations, civic/service clubs, senior citizen groups, and officially recognized volunteer emergency services).
  • Raffle participants and local communities hosting or benefiting from licensed raffles.

Procedural and timeline notes

  • Status: Referred to Education as of January 8, 2025 (also listed with an earlier referral to Assembly Tourism, Gaming and the Arts).
  • Sponsors: Primary – Jen Lunsford; Cosponsor – Rebecca Kassay.
  • Related legislation: Companion S 878; prior-session A 9637 and A 865.

Potential impact considerations

  • Expands permissible raffle activities and potential revenue streams for eligible licensees, with proceeds (beyond the 50% prize to the winner) retained by licensees.
  • Regulation will govern prize schedules, reporting, and compliance; specifics to be determined by LGCCC regulations.
  • No explicit fiscal appropriations are included in the introduced text; enforcement and administration would rely on existing administrative frameworks.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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