2013 Maryland Code
CRIMINAL LAW
§ 13-2435 - Washington County Gaming Fund

§13-2435.

(a) In this section, “gross profits” means the total proceeds from the operation of a tip jar less the amount of money winnings or value of prizes distributed.

(b) There is a Washington County Gaming Fund.

(c) (1) The county commissioners shall establish:

(i) the method and time of deposits to the fund; and

(ii) other procedures necessary to carry out subsections (d), (e), and (f) of this section.

(2) In accordance with a written agreement between the county commissioners and the gaming commission, the gaming commission may use money from the fund to reimburse the county commissioners for the costs to the county for administering Part III of this subtitle.

(3) (i) The county commissioners may require the Washington County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association to submit financial reports of the Association.

(ii) The county commissioners may adopt regulations specifying the time frames for submission of the reports, but the regulations shall be limited in scope to the timing of submission of the reports only.

(iii) The financial reports of the Washington County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association may include an annual budget as approved under paragraph (4) of this subsection, budget reports, and related documentation that shows how money has been spent by the Washington County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association during the previous fiscal year.

(iv) If the financial reports are not submitted within the time required under the regulations, the county commissioners may withhold funds that would otherwise be distributed under subsection (f)(1) of this section until the reports are submitted.

(4) (i) Each year the Washington County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association shall submit its budget to the county commissioners.

(ii) The county commissioners shall accept or reject the budget by a majority vote.

(iii) The acceptance or rejection of the budget may not be delegated to any designee.

(iv) The county commissioners may withhold funds that would otherwise be distributed under subsection (f)(1) of this section until the budget of the Washington County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association is accepted by the county commissioners.

(d) (1) This subsection applies only to a person who holds a tip jar license under § 13-2420(b)(7), (8), or (9) of this subtitle.

(2) Subject to paragraph (3) of this subsection, a person subject to this subsection shall deposit with a financial institution designated by the gaming commission, to the credit of the fund, the gross profits from each tip jar that the person operates.

(3) To offset the costs of operating a tip jar, a person with a tip jar license may retain the lesser of $45 or 50% of the gross profits from each tip jar game.

(e) (1) This subsection applies only to a person who holds a tip jar license under § 13-2420(b)(1) through (6) of this subtitle.

(2) A person subject to this subsection shall deposit with a financial institution designated by the gaming commission, to the credit of the fund, 15% of the gross profits earned through the operation of tip jars during the 12-month period ending June 30.

(3) If a person fails to contribute the full amount required under paragraph (2) of this subsection, the person shall deposit the balance required during the next year.

(f) After the reimbursement under subsection (c)(2) of this section, each year the gaming commission shall distribute:

(1) 50% of the money deposited in the fund to the Washington County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association; and

(2) subject to any restriction that the county commissioners adopt by regulation, 50% of the money deposited in the fund to bona fide charitable organizations in the county.

(g) The county commissioners may not require that funds distributed under (f)(1) of this section be used for fire and rescue services for which funds previously have been appropriated in the county operating budget.