NoVA Stadium Game (language only)

Item 548 #1h

Language
Page 368, after line 15, insert:
"G.  1.  As a condition of the appropriation in this item, effective April 1, 1998, the State Lottery Board and State Lottery Department shall establish a nine-month pilot project, consisting of new lottery tickets or shares game in order to determine whether the funds generated, coupled with other funds, will be sufficient to make construction of a major league baseball stadium in Virginia feasible.  The purpose of the pilot project shall be to determine whether the moneys estimated to be placed in the State Lottery Fund during fiscal years 1998 and 1999, pursuant to §58.1-4022, Code of Virginia, will increase with the addition of a baseball-oriented lottery tickets or shares game.
2.  The pilot project shall not include either Keno or Video Lottery type gaming.
3.  Prior to April 1, 1998, the State Lottery Department shall submit a report on its plans for implementing the pilot project to the Chairmen of the House Appropriations and the House and Senate Finance Committees, and to the members of the Joint Subcommittee Studying Financing Options for Constructing a Baseball Stadium in Virginia.  The Lottery Department shall file subsequent progress reports on the project by December 1, 1998.
4.  In the event that, having implemented the pilot project, deposits to the State Lottery Fund for Fiscal Year 1998 and 1999 exceed the official revenue estimate, the Director shall report such amount to the Chairmen of the House Appropriations and the House and Senate Finance Committees.
5.  Nothing in this section shall reduce or otherwise affect the amount of prize payments, vendor compensation, or limitation on administrative expense which are otherwise set forth by law regarding Lottery gaming."

Explanation
(This amendment provides for the Lottery Department to establish a pilot-project to help determine the feasibility of baseball-oriented lottery tickets or shares game helping to finance a major-league baseball stadium.)