Good News In WA

[EasilyConfused]

Just introduced:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Jan. 23, 2007

In-home recreational internet gaming shouldn’t be a felony, says Strow

10th District legislator introduces bill to provide an affirmative defense to the Class C Felony created by 2006 internet gambling bill



Rep. Chris Strow, R-Whidbey Island, today announced his legislation, House Bill 1243, to quash the felony charge language in last year’s legislation addressing in-home internet gambling.

“My goal with this legislation is to correct an element from last year’s online gambling bill, Senate Bill 6613, that made it a Class C Felony to gamble recreationally in one’s own home if it is done online,” said Strow.

“While I do see the need for protecting our citizens from online gaming that may be scamming innocent victims, I do think that there is also a level of accountability, as an adult, to do as he or she chooses in his or her own home,” said Strow. “Most certainly choosing to gamble, or play a game of skill such as poker, should not have been made a crime equivalent to possessing child pornography or threatening the Governor.”

House Bill 1243 is currently awaiting a hearing in the House Commerce and Labor Committee.

“While I have requested a hearing on the bill, people need to call and write the Chairman of the House Commerce and Labor Committee, Representative Steve Conway, and ask him to schedule a hearing for House Bill 1243,” said Strow. Rep. Conway can be reached at (360) 786-7906 or Conway.steve@leg.wa.gov.

“There’s a certain point at which policy can be perceived as ‘nanny stateish.’ I think we reached that point with last year’s legislation and I’m aiming to make amends,” said Strow.

[EasilyConfused]

If you live in WA, please contact your representatives about this bill, and BE POLITE. You can find your legislator here:

http://apps.leg.wa.gov/DistrictFinder/Default.aspx

[EasilyConfused]

Also, it would be helpful if people would post this press release on other forums. We need to flood the legislature with calls on this one.

[Lucky]

Also, everyone call Strow's office, and commend him on introducing this bill. Doesnt matter where you live. These state legislators judge what their doing by the amount of response they get. Also, if this story gets big enough, they'll be story on fark, with 'hero' tag next to it, space on drudgereport, etc.

[Lucky]

just called strow's office, receptionist was very friendly and glad/surprised to get call from wisconsin. Keep calling, i'm now going to call the other guys office.

[catlover]

Can anybody find a link to the text of the bill?

I'm certainly glad to see this. I'm also a bit concerned about the word "recreationally". As written would this apply to us or not.

[1p0kerboy]

[ QUOTE ]
I'm certainly glad to see this. I'm also a bit concerned about the word "recreationally". As written would this apply to us or not.

[/ QUOTE ]

I recreationally play 10 tables for 50 hours a week. U?

[ZPinhead]

Done and done. Thanks for the heads up on this!!!

[Lucky]

Question for all you guys who write articles and submit them to promote website:

How exactly do you go about submitting this type of news release to get it picked up by abc, cbs, foxnews, etc???

Do you have to email them one by one, or are there clearinghouses???

[ZPinhead]

_____________________________________________
HOUSE BILL 1243
_____________________________________________
State of Washington 60th Legislature 2007 Regular Session
By Representatives Strow, Kirby, Upthegrove, B. Sullivan, Simpson and
Appleton
Read first time 01/15/2007. Referred to Committee on Commerce & Labor.


AN ACT Relating to providing an affirmative defense to unlawful
internet gambling if the defendant committed the offense in his or her
primary residence; and amending RCW 9.46.240.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
Sec. 1. RCW 9.46.240 and 2006 c 290 s 2 are each amended to read
as follows:
(1) Whoever knowingly transmits or receives gambling information by
telephone, telegraph, radio, semaphore, the internet, a
telecommunications transmission system, or similar means, or knowingly
installs or maintains equipment for the transmission or receipt of
gambling information shall be guilty of a class C felony subject to the
penalty set forth in RCW 9A.20.021. However, this section shall not
apply to such information transmitted or received or equipment
installed or maintained relating to activities authorized by this
chapter or to any act or acts in furtherance thereof when conducted in
compliance with the provisions of this chapter and in accordance with
the rules adopted under this chapter.

(2) In a prosecution for a violation of this section, it is an
affirmative defense, which the defendant must prove by a preponderance
of the evidence, that the defendant transmitted or received the
gambling information over the internet, or that the defendant installed
or maintained equipment for the transmission or receipt of gambling
information over the internet, in his or her primary residence for
recreational purposes. For purposes of this subsection, "recreational
purposes" means for the defendant's own enjoyment and not as part of an
enterprise that derives income from operating an internet web site that
transmits or receives gambling information.