SENATE DOCKET, NO. 866        FILED ON: 1/20/2011

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 132

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PRESENTED BY:

Michael F. Rush

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To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:

The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:

An Act authorizing the Massachusetts Lottery Commission to conduct a pilot program.

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PETITION OF:

SENATE DOCKET, NO. 866        FILED ON: 1/20/2011

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 132

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the Year Two Thousand Eleven

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An Act authorizing the Massachusetts Lottery Commission to conduct a pilot program.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
 

                SECTION 1. Notwithstanding any special or general law to the contrary, the Massachusetts Lottery Commission shall hereby be directed to engage forthwith in a pilot program for the purposes of exploring internet sales channels and diversifying Massachusetts State Lottery revenues; provided further, said pilot program shall evaluate new technologies, delivery mechanisms, sales channels and other innovations not previously offered by said Commission; provided further, said pilot program shall be under the jurisdiction of the Executive Director of the Commission and shall not be subject to Chapter 40B of the Massachusetts General Laws; and provided further, said pilot shall not exceed a duration of 24 months from the start thereof.

                SECTION 2. The Commission shall deliver to the Legislature an interim report of the results of said pilot program not later than eighteen months after implementation of such, detailing the efficacy of the pilot in expanding new sales channels and revenues to the State Lottery; provided further, said report shall demonstrate the effect of said new sales channels upon revenues for the State Lottery and the Local Aid Fund; provided further, said report shall examine the sustainability of any loss or gain experienced by the State Lottery following the implementation of said pilot program; and provided further, said report shall make a recommendation to the Legislature whether to continue said program. 

                SECTION 3.  If, upon the successful completion of said pilot program, the Commission recommends continuance of the program, the Commission shall be authorized to develop and pursue implementation of an internet sales capability for the Commission’s lottery products subject to Chapter 40B of the Massachusetts General Laws; provided further, that such additional programming shall be in accordance with all existing applicable laws and regulations; and provided further, that said program shall not exceed the parameters set by this chapter. 

                SECTION 4.  All net revenues from said pilot and corresponding permanent programs as authorized by this chapter shall be distributed in the same manner and amount as existing Lottery products in accordance with Section 35 of Chapter 10 and any other applicable laws thereto. 

                SECTION 5. This law shall expire July 1, 2014.