Legislative Update: What’s next?

Lance Griffin/Dothan Eagle

Published: April 30, 2008

The recent break of the Senate filibuster regarding a Macon County gaming bill effectively signals an end to the current potential legislative challenges to Country Crossing’s electronic bingo. Although a House version of the Macon County bill is still alive, the chances of it coming up for a vote are extremely remote, and, with just four legislative days remaining before the end of the session, it appears no new gambling legislation will be passed.

The Macon County bill and a similar bill involving Greene County could have provided a legal challenge to the proposed electronic bingo center at Country Crossing. Some in legislative circles said the bills were strictly local in nature and would have no affect on other counties. Others, however, said language in the bill could make electronic bingo illegal in other places where the machines do not already exist.

Gov. Bob Riley may call the legislature into a special session during the summer. If he makes gaming one of the official subjects of the special session, then gaming bills can be introduced, but would still need a supermajority to be passed and placed on the ballot for a vote of the people. If gaming is not an official subject for the session, then gaming-related bills would need a 2/3 majority vote of the Legislature just to be introduced.