Page 103

House Bill No. 5506

Public Act No. 22-118 103 of 739

the commissioner may deem of value or which the Governor may request. (b) [The] Not later than August 1, 2023, and every ten years thereafter, and at such other times as the Commissioner of Mental Health and Addiction Services deems necessary, the commissioner, or a contractor chosen by the commissioner, shall conduct [studies] a study concerning the effect of legalized gambling on the citizens of this state including, but not limited to, [studies to determine] an examination of the types of gambling activity engaged in by the public and the desirability of expanding, maintaining or reducing the amount of legalized gambling permitted in this state. [Such studies shall be conducted as often as the commissioner deems necessary, except that no studies shall be conducted before the fiscal year ending June 30, 2009, and thereafter studies shall be conducted at least once every ten years. The] Each such study shall take into consideration the findings on the effects of legalized gambling from the most recent study completed pursuant to this subsection, and shall use such findings to inform the current study. In conducting each study, the commissioner, or a contractor chosen by the commissioner to conduct such study, shall (1) consider data from other states to inform recommendations on best practices and proposed regulatory changes, (2) review available data to assess the problem gaming resources available in the state, and (3) consult with stakeholders to inform the study analysis, including, but not limited to, elected and appointed government officials, nongovernmental and charitable organizations, municipal officials, businesses and entities engaged in legalized gambling activities in the state. The commissioner shall submit the findings of each such study and a statement of the costs of conducting such study to the joint standing [committees] committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to [legalized gambling shall each receive a report concerning each study carried out, stating the findings of the study and the costs of conducting the study] public safety and security, in accordance with the provisions