State Senator Jim McClendon (R-Springville) will file two bills in the Alabama Legislature that would clear the way for the people of Alabama to play a “clean” lottery. 

MONTGOMERY, Ala. — State Senator Jim McClendon (R-Springville) will today file two bills in the Alabama Legislature that would clear the way for the people of Alabama to play a “clean” lottery. The first bill is an amendment to the State Constitution to allow a lottery; the second bill is a legislative act that outlines the details of how the lottery would be administered. 

“For too long, the people of Alabama have been forced to drive to Tennessee, Florida, and Georgia to buy lottery tickets. Alabama dollars are being spent in neighboring states, funding their schools and their infrastructure projects,” McClendon said. “It is overwhelmingly clear that the people of Alabama want to vote on a lottery. My proposal would establish a clean lottery—no casinos, and no card or table games of any kind. Half of the lottery’s proceeds would go to education, and half to the General Fund budget for state troopers, Medicaid, and other agencies. It’s time we let the people vote.” 

McClendon’s legislative package would establish the Alabama Lottery Commission, with members appointed by the Governor, Lt. Governor, Senate President Pro Tem, and Speaker of the House. The Commission would issue a Request for Proposal and a private company would be chosen to manage the lottery, with oversight from the Commission. The lottery management company would not be allowed to contribute money to political PACs or candidates. A person must be 18 years or older to purchase a lottery ticket.

McClendon’s two bills are being filed on Tuesday, the second day of the Legislature’s 2019 Regular Session.

Jim McClendon represents District 11 in the Alabama Senate, which includes all or parts of Talladega, St. Clair, and Shelby counties. He is Chairman of the Senate Healthcare Committee.