OLYMPIA - Charitable non-profits will soon be allowed to obtain a license to conduct raffles for prizes of alcohol exceeding $5,000 in value.

The House of Representatives unanimously voted last week to pass Senate Bill 6465, sponsored by Sen. Janéa Holmquist Newbry, R-Moses Lake, authorizing charities to conduct such raffles after first securing a permit from the state gambling commission.

Holmquist Newbry expressed gratitude to Moses Lake Eagles member Rich Kennedy and the entire Eagles organization for bringing the issue to light.

"Under current state law charitable organizations such as the Eagles and Elks are limited in their ability to raise much-needed funds for important causes in our communities; this bill will address this problem," she stated.

She said the Eagles are already planning how they'll put the new law to use.

"For example, the Eagles are trying to raise $25 million dollars for a new wing of a hospital dedicated to diabetes research," she stated. "This bill will allow them to use a raffle to help reach this laudable goal."

Holmquist Newbry, who is a member of the budget-writing Senate Ways and Means Committee, said charities can help a state government with limited resources serve citizens in need.

"At a time when the economy is still struggling to recover - with the state required to do less with fewer tax dollars and many citizens still in need of assistance, we rely on our charitable organizations to pick up the slack and need them to take on an even greater share of the burden," Holmquist Newbry stated. "This bill will remove some of the barriers these nonprofit organizations face and give them a greater ability to do what they do best - galvanize the support of the community to accomplish good."

SB 6465 now moves to Gov. Chris Gregoire for her signature before becoming law.