Bingo Bill: What’s Next?
April 08, 2008
Now that the Houston County bingo bill sponsored by Sen. Harri Anne Smith, R-Slocomb, has been signed out of the Local Legislation Committee and referred to the Tourism and Marketing Committee, what can Houston County residents expect next?
Typically, committees shy away from supporting local bills that do not have unanimous support from the local delegation and the county commission. However, anything is possible in the Alabama Legislature and some scenarios exist that could push this bill out of committee and onto the Senate floor.
(1) The chairman of the Tourism and Marketing Committee is Sen. Bobby Singleton, who represents Greene County in west central Alabama where Greenetrack has electronic bingo. Singleton has been attempting to push a bingo bill onto the Senate floor that would transfer electronic bingo authority from the Sheriff of Greene County to a racing commission, and would also provide more money for local governments through electronic bingo revenue. Singleton has been having trouble getting his bill heard, and could be inclined to help push the Houston County bill forward if he could, in turn, get his bill heard. The Senate debated an almost identical bill Thursday afternoon from Sen. Myron Penn, who represents Shorter where Victoryland hosts electronic bingo. The Senate, however, appears to be at an impasse on the issue, so the scenario is possible, but not likely.
(2) The Governor has expressed opposition to any measure that expands gambling in Alabama, and could call in favors to keep another electronic bingo center from locating in Alabama.
While those scenarios exist, it is not believed the 3/5 vote needed to pass the bill will happen, even if the bill makes it to the Senate floor
The Tourism and Marketing Committee is scheduled to meet Wednesday at 12:30 p.m., but is not currently scheduled to debate the Houston County bill. It could, however, be placed on the calendar any time between now and then. There are 12 days left in the current legislative session and much of the remaining time will be spent debating the general fund and education fund bills.
The status of bills, Senate and House Audio, standing committee assignments and other legislation can be found here
