Lawmakers don’t seem to be concerned with passing the legislation before the end of the session
Legislators delayed the meeting on Wednesday regarding the proposed gambling package in Alabama due to disagreements between the House and Senate. With the session ending in a week, time’s quickly running out.
Rep. Chris Blackshear texted on Wednesday that the two chambers are getting closer to a compromise after “several productive meetings” between conference committee members tasked with sorting out their differences. “We will continue to have these discussions and hold a public meeting when both sides are comfortable doing so,” said Blackshear.
The House version includes seven retail casinos, a state lottery, and legalized sports betting. It also requires the governor to negotiate a gaming compact with the Poarch Band of Creek Indians, who operate casinos in Atmore, Montgomery, and Wetumpka.
The Senate’s bill only includes the lottery and the compact. They also disagree with the House on when an election should be held and how gaming revenue will be distributed.
The Senate conference committee includes Sen. Greg Albritton, Senate Minority Leader Bobby Singleton, and Sen. Garlan Gudger. Blackshear, Rep. Sam Jones, and Rep. Andy Whitt are the members of the House conference committee.
Whitt said on Tuesday that the conference committee would next meet on Wednesday afternoon but declined to say that morning whether the meeting was still scheduled. Albritton was also unsure about the Wednesday meeting but said they are getting closer to reaching a compromise without being too specific. “We still got five days, right? We just got a long way to go,” he said.
Singleton didn’t comment but said on Tuesday that he wasn’t invited to a Monday meeting with several conference committee members.
