Legislation sponsored by Senators Kip Bateman (R-16) and Dawn Marie Addiego (R-8) giving veterans' organization more flexibility to manage their costs has been approved by the New Jersey Senate. The measures, S-87 and SCR-11, would allow those organizations to use the net proceeds from games of chance to support their organizations financially.
"Many non-profits, including organizations that serve our veterans, have struggled financially in recent years as donors facing economic hardships of their own haven't been able to give as much," said Bateman. "The legislation and constitutional amendment that we have proposed would provide additional financial flexibility to veterans' groups by allowing them to tap a new stream of revenues to help pay their bills."
Under current law, veterans' organizations are required to dedicate the proceeds they raise from games of chance, such as bingo, raffles and lottery, to educational, charitable, patriotic, religious or public-spirited uses.
This legislation expands the permitted use of those proceeds collected by veterans' organization from games of chance to include directly supporting the costs of the organization, including increased costs for maintenance, electric, gas, oil and other utilities.
"If a veterans' association has to shut its doors because they can no longer pay their electric bill or afford the basic costs of their facilities, they won't be able to continue providing the invaluable services that their community has come to depend upon," added Addiego. "This common-sense measure will remove government red tape and make it easier for non-profit veterans' organizations to survive."
The legislation enabling the change, S-87, requires the approval of a constitutional amendment, proposed in SCR-11, to become effective. A ballot question would be put before voters to approve the change.
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