Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Gambling Casino Licenses topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Senate approves concurrence on casino-relocation study after questions about scope
Summary
The Indiana Senate concurred with House amendments to Senate Bill 43, approving a state-commissioned economic study on potential relocation sites for a casino license; senators questioned whether the study would create new licenses and who would conduct it.
The Indiana Senate on April 23 approved a motion to concur in House amendments to Senate Bill 43, a bill directing a study of potential relocation sites for an existing casino license in the state.
Senator Zay presented the motion, describing SB 43 as "Simple bill. It's a study of where to relocate or to potentially relocate a casino license in the state of Indiana." He said the House amended the measure to move the study's deadline from Oct. 1 to Nov. 1 and to reduce the number of potential locations the study should identify from three to two.
The bill drew questions from senators concerned about the study's scope and purpose. Senator Randolph asked whether the study would lead to two additional casinos being established; Zay replied, "No, sir," and said the study is intended to "look[] at our state holistically and where might be the 2 best locations if we would decide to move 1 of those licenses." Randolph also asked who would conduct the study; Zay said the work would come through the state's gaming commission and that the commission would put the contract out for bid.
Senator Jackson asked whether the study would assess secondary impacts such as substance- or alcohol-abuse consequences; Zay said the measure is an economic study and "would look at the benefits or the locations where it would be best suited, not the impacts of of gaming." Zay also acknowledged the study would include economic-impact considerations, including potential revenue for state uses such as transportation.
The motion to concur was put to a roll-call vote. The clerk reported 37 ayes and 11 noes; the motion passed. The secretary was directed to inform the House of the Senate’s action.
Ending: The study authorized by SB 43 will be carried out under the gaming commission's direction, with a November 1 deadline for the contractor to complete the work as amended in the House. No sites were named on the Senate floor; senators said the study will determine which locations, if any, are best suited for a relocated license.
