By Emmanuel T. Erediano
emmanuel@mvariety.com
Variety News Staff
THE House Committee on Gaming will take comments from “a wide spectrum of people” on the administration’s proposed amendment to the casino law, committee chair Rep. Ralph N. Yumul said Wednesday.
He said the administration-backed legislation was pre-filed as House Bill 24-79 on Tuesday. Yumul, who is the bill’s author, said it seeks to amend Public Law 18-56 to allow multiple casino licenses and lower licensing fees.
H.B. 24-79 proposes a $1 million non-exclusive annual casino license fee but would require the licensee to pay $2 million to cover the first and second years of casino operations, as well as a one-time, non-refundable $500,000 application fee. P.L. 18-56 currently allows only a $15 million exclusive annual casino license fee.
In an interview Wednesday, Yumul said the legislation is so extensive that it will take some time for the committee to review and revise it, if necessary. The committee has decided to pre-file the bill as is and introduce it in the next House session on Monday.
“Once the…bill is in the hands of the committee, that’s when we will bring it to the public,” he said. “We will first let members of the community comment on the administration’s proposal before the committee determines any necessary changes.”
Yumul assured that the committee will seek input from the community. “We are trying to be as transparent as possible. We are getting the community involved. We will present the bill as proposed by the administration and hear recommendations from across the board,” he said.
The committee also plans to invite members of the Commonwealth Casino Commission, saying they may have suggestions to improve the bill.
“We want to take comments from a wide spectrum of people,” Yumul said.
Emmanuel “Arnold” Erediano has a bachelor of science degree in Journalism. He started his career as police beat reporter. Loves to cook. Eats death threats for breakfast.
