The House of Representatives took just one day to consider 154 amendments to a bill that will bring expanded gaming to Massachusetts. Thanks to the Senate Republican Caucus, the Massachusetts Senate will have at least 10 days to prepare for debating its own version of the bill, which calls for the introduction of three destination resort casinos and one slot parlor.
The Senate Ways and Means Committee released a 156-page expanded gaming proposal today, less than 48 hours after the House of Representatives finalized its own version. Although amendments are due in to the Clerk’s Office by 3 p.m. next Wednesday (September 21), the Senate debate will not begin until the following Monday (September 26) to comply with a Republican-sponsored order.
The order – which was filed by the Senate Republican Caucus and passed the Senate unanimously on July 28 – stipulates that the Senate cannot “consider or act upon any bill authorizing any form of gaming not currently permitted in the Commonwealth,” including casinos or slot machines, until 10 calendar days after the filing of the report of said bill by the Senate Ways and Means Committee with the Senate Clerk.
“The House had 154 amendments to consider, and it’s not unreasonable to expect the Senate will have a similar number,” noted Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr (R-Gloucester), who filed the order in July. “The many consequences and impacts associated with expanded gaming are far too complicated and far-reaching to rush into without adequate reflection. Our order will help to ensure that we have adequate time to consider not only the main question of expanded gaming, but also the many facets of that question that will be reflected in the amendments that will be filed by members.”
Attached below is a copy of the Senate Republican Caucus order:
“ORDERED, that the Senate shall not consider or act upon any bill authorizing any form of gaming not currently permitted in the Commonwealth, including a bill which authorizes one or more casinos, the placement and operation of slot machines, so-called, or any similar activity until 10 calendar days following the filing of the report of said bill by the Senate Committee on Ways and Means with the Clerk of the Senate.”
