Judiciary committee amends Senate Bill 2373 to protect existing bingo halls from new venue restriction
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Summary
Senate Bill 2373 was reconsidered and amended after members raised concerns that an earlier version unintentionally restricted existing bingo halls. The committee adopted language excluding bingo halls that were authorized sites on Jan. 1, 2025 and are owned by licensed organizations, then voted a due-pass as amended.
Senate Bill 2373, which governs where electronic pull tabs and similar games may be conducted, was reconsidered and amended by the Senate Judiciary Committee to avoid an unintended effect on existing bingo halls.
Senator Paulson explained an amendment circulated to the committee that adds a carve-out: electronic pull tabs and related devices may be conducted in an alcoholic beverage establishment or in “a bingo hall that is an authorized site on 01/01/2025 and is owned by a licensed organization.” Paulson said the change was intended to prevent penalizing existing bingo halls that do not hold liquor licenses.
Senators debated the technical language and intent. Lawmakers said they wanted to allow future bingo halls to obtain an alcoholic beverage license if they wished to offer the activity, while preserving sites operating as of Jan. 1, 2025. The committee approved the reconsideration, adopted the amendment by voice vote and later voted a due-pass on the bill as amended.
Senator Paulson will continue as the bill’s carrier. The committee’s roll call on the amended bill recorded multiple ayes and no recorded nays in the transcript.
Recorded committee action: the committee reconsidered the prior do-pass on SB 2373, adopted Amendment 25.1348.02001 (as described in testimony), and recommended do-pass as amended.