The Senate passed to SB 319 last month and moved home. The bill will give state citizens the opportunity to vote in November 2022 on whether the state should amend the constitution and implement expanded gambling activities in Alabama. This would also allow a gaming agreement to be entered into with Poarch Band of Creek Indians.
The legislation was originally killed in the Senate after it failed to pass, but moved to the second attempt. He appeared to have been prepared to pass in the lower house but was never put to the vote.
According to AL.com, House of Representatives chairman Mac McCutcheon took him out of consideration, saying there were not enough votes to pass. The bill needed cross-party support to get the 60% majority needed for a bill requiring a constitutional amendment.
In the weeks leading up to what was supposed to be a vote, Democrats tried to amend the law and negotiated with Republicans to insert language that would clearly use some of the money generated to develop Medicaid. Both parties could not reach an agreement and the law was eventually withdrawn.
Republicans then tried to vote the lottery-only bill at the last minute, but most Democrats said they didn't. have enough time to read your bill. This draft was also never put to the vote.
After Thursday's meeting, the House adjourned, leaving only one day off for the current legislative session. The group would return on May 17 for its last day, and McCutcheon said it was unlikely the bill would be passed, especially as it would have to return to the Senate to approve the changes.
“I can't say we're not going to try to deal with it. But I can say that because of the bill and the way it is, it will be questionable, ”said McCutcheon. "It will be hard to get through now, so late."