House Republican Press Release

May 24, 2007

Press Office: 860-240-8700

REP. CHAPIN: LEGISLATURE APPROVES DUCK RACE LEGISLATION

Bill Would Assist New Milford Organization

HARTFORD – Legislation cosponsored by State Rep. Clark Chapin, R-New Milford, that would benefit the New Milford Rotary Club has been approved by the House of Representatives and State Senate. Senate Bill 1071, An Act Concerning Gaming Products And Raffle Prizes, now awaits the signature of Governor M. Jodi Rell. 

The New Milford Rotary Club has sought the ability to award small cash prizes to maximize the fundraising effectiveness of its duck races. Current law prohibits awarding cash prizes for raffles, except cow-chip raffles. SB 1071 would allow classes 1, 2, and 4 raffles to award cash prizes for frog-race, duck race, and traditional raffles.

“Even common sense legislation can sometimes take years to be approved,” said Rep. Chapin. “I’m happy our perseverance paid off and that the New Milford Rotary Club, and ultimately community residents, will be the beneficiaries.”

Prizes offered in the New Milford Rotary Club’s Great Housatonic Duck Race this year include a television, iPod and a bicycle. The ability to offer cash prizes in future events would benefit the organization, said Rep. Chapin. The bill would require organizations conducting a raffle to deposit the proceeds in a special checking account established for this purpose. It would have to pay all cash prizes from the account and the account is subject to Department of Special Revenue (DSR) audits.