Virginia SB 118 Presented to Subcommittee + iDEA Testimony
In today’s VA Senate General Laws Subcommittee meeting, SB 118 was presented by the bill patron (Sen Locke) and opponents and proponents testified. Each side was given a total of 5 minutes for all witnesses, which meant testimony was truncated for everyone. John Pappas presented on behalf of iDEA, focusing on the current unregulated market and how this bill changes the dynamic in favor of the state and its residents.
Caesar’s, Boyd, SBA and importantly the major trade union for casino workers testified in support of bill. The union did state that they would like more added to the bill, but supported moving the process along.
Two lawmakers on the committee spoke in favor; two opposed. However, one of the opposed (Sen Reeves) said he was only a “no” for now and wanted to continue to work on the bill. The Chair of the subcommittee abstained from voting and made clear he would like to offer some changes to strengthen the RG requirements in the bill.
While the bill is moving to the full commitee, it did not pass the sub with a YES recommendation. So there is clearly much more work to do on some of these members, but the full committee.
The expectation is the bill will go to full committee (without witness testimony) next Weds. The proponent stakeholders, including iDEA, are fanning out to meet with lawmakers over the next few days. Weather permitting, John Pappas plans to return to Richmond next week.
In summary, we would have preferred a YES recommendation out of today’s subcommittee, but there is still a very good chance to move votes into our column.