H 4367 Joint Resolution, By Sheheen, Kirsh, Littlejohn, Miller and Stille
 A JOINT RESOLUTION PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO SECTION 7, ARTICLE XVII OF THE
 CONSTITUTION OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1895, RELATING TO THE PROHIBITION AGAINST
 LOTTERIES AND PROVIDING THAT THE GAME OF BINGO WHEN CONDUCTED BY CHARITABLE,
 RELIGIOUS, OR FRATERNAL ORGANIZATIONS OR WHEN CONDUCTED AT RECOGNIZED ANNUAL
 STATE AND COUNTY FAIRS IS NOT A PROHIBITED LOTTERY, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE
 GAME OF BINGO MAY BE CONDUCTED ONLY BY A RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATION.

   12/10/97  House  Prefiled
   12/10/97  House  Referred to Committee on Ways and Means
   01/13/98  House  Introduced and read first time HJ-30
   01/13/98  House  Referred to Committee on Ways and Means HJ-31

A JOINT RESOLUTION

PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO SECTION 7, ARTICLE XVII OF THE CONSTITUTION OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1895, RELATING TO THE PROHIBITION AGAINST LOTTERIES AND PROVIDING THAT THE GAME OF BINGO WHEN CONDUCTED BY CHARITABLE, RELIGIOUS, OR FRATERNAL ORGANIZATIONS OR WHEN CONDUCTED AT RECOGNIZED ANNUAL STATE AND COUNTY FAIRS IS NOT A PROHIBITED LOTTERY, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE GAME OF BINGO MAY BE CONDUCTED ONLY BY A RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATION.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

SECTION 1. It is proposed that Section 7, Article XVII of the Constitution of this State be amended to read:

"Section 7. No lottery shall ever be allowed or be advertised by newspapers, or otherwise, or its tickets be sold in this State. The game of bingo, when conducted by charitable, religious or fraternal organizations exempt from federal income taxation or when conducted at recognized annual State and county fairs, shall not be deemed a lottery prohibited by this section."

SECTION 2. The proposed amendment must be submitted to the qualified electors at the next general election for representatives. Ballots must be provided at the various voting precincts with the following words printed or written on the ballot:

"Must Section 7, Article XVII of the Constitution of this State relating to the prohibition against lotteries and providing that the game of bingo when conducted by charitable, religious, or fraternal organizations or when conducted at recognized annual state and county fairs is not a prohibited lottery, so as to provide that the game of bingo may be conducted only by a religious organization?

Those voting in favor of the question shall deposit a ballot with a check or cross mark in the square after the word 'Yes', and those voting against the question shall deposit a ballot with a check or cross mark in the square after the word 'No'."