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Senate Racing, Gaming and Wagering Committee advances seven bills; most move to calendar, two to finance
Summary
At its May 28 meeting the New York State Senate Racing, Gaming and Wagering Committee advanced seven bills on raffle tickets, bingo, horsemen benefits, electronic bell jar games, historical horse racing and unsold instant-lottery tickets; most were sent to the Senate calendar and two were referred to the Finance Committee.
The New York State Senate Racing, Gaming and Wagering Committee advanced seven bills at its May 28 meeting, sending most to the Senate calendar and referring two to the Finance Committee.
Chairman Senator Joe Davitt opened the committee meeting and said the panel would consider seven bills. Committee staff present included legislative director Sarah Spellman. Committee members moved and seconded each bill with brief remarks on procedural points; no extended debate was recorded in the transcript.
Why it matters: The measures cover changes to raffle and bingo rules, benefits for harness racing horsemen, the operation of electronic "bell jar" games and historical horse-racing products, and the treatment of unsold instant-lottery tickets — all items that affect gaming operators, charitable organizations that conduct gaming to raise funds, and the state lottery.
Votes at a glance
- Senate Bill 1605 (Internet sale of raffle tickets). By Senator Borrello (as read in the transcript). Motion to advance moved by Senator Zizka and seconded by Senator Tomry. Chair declared the vote "aye" and said there were enough votes; the bill was advanced to the Senate calendar. Vote tally not specified in the transcript.
- Senate Bill (recorded as) S2611 (participation in bingo by minors). By Senator Adabo (as read). Motion moved by Senator Conry and seconded by "Senator Fe" (transcript spelling). Chair recorded "aye" and said the bill advances to the calendar. Vote tally not specified in the transcript.
- Senate Bill (recorded as) S2612A (horsemen's health, welfare, pension and related benefits; harness racing licenses). Motion moved (mover/second not specified in the transcript). Committee discussion noted the bill passed both houses previously and was amended to address the governor's veto; the chair said the motion carried and the bill advances to the calendar. Vote tally not specified in the transcript.
- Senate Bill (recorded as) S5614 (removing frequency restrictions on authorized organizations conducting bingo). By Senator Adabo (as read). Motion moved by Senator Tomry with Senator Tadisco seconding (transcript indicates those names). Chair recorded "aye" and said the bill advances to the calendar. Vote tally not specified in the transcript.
- Senate Bill (recorded as) S6351A (electronic bell jar games). Motion moved (mover/second not specified in the transcript). The committee advanced the bill and referred it to the Finance Committee. Vote tally not specified in the transcript.
- Senate Bill (recorded as) S6969 (operation of historical horse-racing products). Motion moved by Senator Beatty and seconded by Senator Tomi (as read); the committee voted to advance and referred the bill to the Finance Committee. Vote tally not specified in the transcript.
- Senate Bill (recorded as) S6970 (unsold instant-lottery tickets; tax-law change). By Senator Adabo (as read). Committee discussion in the transcript explains the measure would allow the State Lottery Division to recirculate unsold instant tickets from a retailer that has closed or lost a license so the tickets cannot be falsely presumed to remain in circulation; the committee advanced the bill to the calendar. Vote tally not specified in the transcript.
What the committee did not do: The transcript records no extended debate on policy details and no recorded roll-call tallies; the chair repeatedly stated "aye" and that there were enough votes to advance bills. No amendments or defeats were recorded in the transcript provided.
Procedure and next steps: Bills advanced to the calendar remain subject to further floor action by the full Senate. Bills referred to the Finance Committee will be considered there for any fiscal implications before possible action by the full Senate.
Meeting context: The committee met with its chair and staff present and moved through seven agenda items in relatively quick succession; staff legislative director Sarah Spellman was acknowledged. The transcript shows procedural motions, seconds and chair rulings but does not record detailed sponsor statements, public testimony or final roll-call tallies.
