HARRY HUGHES, Governor

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and corruption. Moreover, the failure of the bill to precisely
define eligible organizations or address the issue of control of
minors and nonmembers on the premises presents additional
concerns and creates the potential for widespread abuse.

The serious problems associated with this bill far outweigh
any short-term monetary benefits to the nonprofit organizations
or charities. I am confident that these groups will be able to
raise necessary monies through more traditional fund raising
activities. The inevitable expansion of slot machine gambling
that would be triggered by this bill is simply inconsistent with
my vision of an industrious, resourceful, and progressive
Maryland. This legislation will do little, if anything, to
improve the fine quality of life in our State; to the contrary,
my fear is that it will have the exact opposite effect.

Sincerely,
Harry Hughes
Governor

Senate Bill No. 774

AN ACT concerning

Slot Machines - Nonprofit Organizations

FOR the purpose of permitting certain nonprofit organizations to
own or operate a slot machine under certain circumstances in
certain counties on the Eastern Shore; requiring a slot
machine to meet certain conditions and certain records to be
maintained for a slot machine to be eligible for use under
this Act; requiring an eligible organization to make a
certain report under affidavit to the State Comptroller;
providing for the licensing of certain nonprofit
organizations by application to the sheriff of in the county
in which the organization plans to locate the slot machine;
defining a certain term,- and generally relating to certain
nonprofit organizations owning or operating slot machines.

BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments,

Article 27 - Crimes and Punishments

Section 264B

Annotated Code of Maryland

(1982 Replacement Volume and 1984 Supplement)

SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF
MARYLAND, That the Laws of Maryland read as follows:

Article 27 - Crimes and Punishments