The Florida House of Representatives abruptly adjourned on April 29, three days before the official May 1 end date, leaving behind 1,329 general bills and incurring a lawsuit by Senate Democrats charging the House with violating the state constitution. The unexpected House closure occurred as House leaders contended they had no reason to remain in session as long as the impasse over the budget and health care funding raged on with Senate leaders. Lawmakers must replace the billion budget with a new plan before July; currently the House and Senate versions are billion apart.
Among the unresolved bills were several related to gambling, including SB 7088 which would have extended the Seminole compact for one more year, to allow time for a new agreement to be reached. A provision of the compact allows the tribe exclusive rights to offer blackjack at seven of its casinos in return for payments to the state worth about $1 billion over five years, will expire on July 31. The current agreement with the tribe calls for the card games to be shut down within 90 days if no new compact provision is negotiated. The tribe could continue to offer slot machines and other games.
A special session is sure to be called before the end of the fiscal year on June 30 so legislators can finalize a new, no incomplete, state budget. The Seminole agreement could come up in the special session because it involves revenue and could have a fiscal impact on the budget.
However, Senate Regulated Industry Committee Chairman Senator Rob Bradley said, “I don’t think the chances are very good. I think the special session should be, and will be, focused entirely on budgetary matters. So, simple answer is: Not likely.” Throughout the session, Bradley said, “The Senate’s position has been consistent. We think when it comes to gaming you deal with the compact first and then deal with these other issues. We are not going to recommend to our members a deal that doesn’t make sense for the people of the State of Florida. Until we arrive at a situation with our negotiations with the Tribe, where we have such a deal, then we’re not going to move forward.”
Although it’s a remote possibility, state government may have to shut down if the House and Senate cannot agree on a new budget by June 30.
Other gambling issues that remain left behind were included in a wide-ranging bill, HB1233, introduced by House Majority Leader Dana Young that included an expansion of gambling options throughout the state. The bill had been scaled down to allow slots in Palm Beach and Lee counties, if approved by legislators, the governor and the Seminole Tribe. It also included decoupling of dog racing from other gambling options and a requirement that dog racetracks report all injuries to the state.
