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HR 196

Gaming - Authorizes certain nonprofit entities to conduct an annual charitable gaming event between July 1, 2026, and June 30, 2027. -

114th Regular Session (2025-2026) Introduced by William Lamberth

HR 196 approves a set of specified annual charitable gaming events (raffles/reverse raffles) for Tennessee nonprofits for July 2026–June 2027.

Filed for introduction
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HR 196

Summary of HR 196 (Session 114) – Tennessee

1) Purpose and Intent

  • HR 196 is a House Resolution approving specific annual charitable gaming events for 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(19) organizations within Tennessee.
  • The approval is granted under Article XI, Section 5 of the Tennessee Constitution and the Tennessee Nonprofit Gaming Law.
  • The resolution authorizes a list of qualifying annual events for the period July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027.

2) Key Provisions and Changes

  • The resolution does not create new gaming authorities or broaden overall gaming powers; instead, it provides a two-thirds approval mechanism (as required by the Constitution and state nonprofit gaming law) for annual events operated by specified nonprofit groups.
  • It designates an omnibus list of qualifying annual events, identifying the organization, event name, event type, location, and date for each approval.
  • Event types included in the list are primarily raffles and reverse raffles.
  • The events span multiple counties statewide and are organized by various nonprofits, including youth organizations, foundations, fire departments, wildlife/habitat groups, and service organizations.
  • Specific example entries (selected) include:
    • Boys & Girls Clubs of the Ocoee Region (Cleveland, Bradley County) – Cash 4 Kids (Reverse Raffle) on 08/28/2026.
    • Delta Waterfowl Foundation – Annual Event (Raffle) in Nashville (Davidson County) on 09/22/2026; another Delta Waterfowl event in Memphis (Shelby County) on 09/22/2026; and a Knoxville event on 09/22/2026.
    • National Wild Turkey Federation, Inc. – The Lucky Spur (Raffle) in Nashville on 02/11/2027.
    • Foster Falls Volunteer Fire Department, Inc. (Sequatchie County) – Foster Falls Fire Department event (Raffle) on 07/18/2026.
    • Good Shepherd Center (Madisonville, Monroe County) – 40 Year Celebration Raffle Drawing on 10/31/2026.
    • Gatlinburg Rotary Foundation, Inc. (Sevier County) – Gatlinburg Rotary Reverse Raffle on 08/29/2026.
    • Hope House Day Care Center, Inc. (Memphis, Shelby County) – Hope House Raffle on 11/05/2026.
    • Gallatin Noon Rotary Foundation (Sumner County) – Reverse Raffle on 04/17/2027.
  • The resolution lists totals of approvals by county, indicating how many events are authorized per location.

3) Who/What is Affected

  • Eligible Organizations: 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(19) organizations operating in Tennessee.
  • Affected Activities: Annual charitable gaming events (primarily raffles and reverse raffles) conducted to benefit the listed nonprofit organizations.
  • Geographic Scope: Events across multiple Tennessee counties, including Bradley, Davidson, Knox, Lincoln, Marion, Monroe, Overton, Rutherford, Sevier, Shelby, Sumner, and others.

4) Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • The events covered are authorized for the 2026-2027 fiscal year (July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2027).
  • Procedural Basis: Authorization requires a two-thirds vote of all members elected to each house of the Tennessee General Assembly, consistent with Article XI, Section 5 of the Tennessee Constitution and the Tennessee Nonprofit Gaming Law.
  • Status and Enactment: The bill was introduced, enrolled, and signed by the Speaker as of April 15, 2026, with the House reporting an Ayes, Nays, and PNV tally, indicating standard legislative approval prior to final adoption.

5) Notable Observations

  • The bill functions as a targeted approval mechanism, not a broad change to nonprofit gaming operations.
  • It consolidates and formally approves a finite slate of upcoming events, ensuring compliance with constitutional and statutory requirements for charitable gaming.
  • No monetary authorizations or licensing changes are explicit beyond the constitutional and statutory framework for annual charitable gaming events.

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

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