Alabama lawmakers can’t agree on how to advance two gambling-related bills
The Alabama House of Representatives is unhappy with revisions made by the Senate changes to its gambling bill. HB 151 and HB 152 were sent to a conference committee on Thursday, nearly a month after senators effectively stripped the original legislation passed by the House in February.
Representative Chris Blackshear stated on the House floor that the “number one” problem is the Senate version dividing gambling revenue three ways without putting it all into education. He says the Senate’s version leaves $400 to $500 million “on the table” annually. Regarding the licensing process, Blackshear said they would lose around $1 billion and thinks they need to have “some detailed conversation with the Senate conferees.”
“They had it for three weeks, we worked on it for 15 months, and I think there are some details we can provide to them that may help them understand why we sent the package that we did to them,” said Blackshear on the floor.
Blackshear and Rep. Andy Whitt authored the House version, which includes a constitutional amendment to permit gambling and promotes legislation on enforcement, regulation and gaming revenue distribution.
If the House version passes, it would establish a state lottery and permit sports betting and casino gambling at seven venues throughout the state. The proposal would also create a state gambling commission and require Gov. Kay Ivey to negotiate a compact with the Poarch Band of Creek Indians.
Blackshear, Whitt and House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter released a joint statement on Thursday, making it clear that the Senate version was unacceptable. “We got smart people in our state. Why are we neglecting them the opportunity to vote? I don’t get it,” said Ledbetter.
