(Austin, Texas - May 11, 2011) - HJR 111, a bill filed in the Texas House of Representatives which would allow Texans to vote on placing slot machines at licensed racetracks and federally-recognized Indian reservations in Texas, was voted out of committee last Friday, May 6. However, the committee report was not filed by the deadline, midnight of May 9. The deadline for the bill to be considered in Texas House’s calendars has passed, and therefore the bill is, by rule, dead for the session in the Texas House of Representatives. HB 2111, the enabling legislation, was not voted out of committee.

As a result, any chance at bringing slots to the Texas racetracks this legislative session rests with the Texas Senate. Our existing senate bill, SJR 33, is currently stuck in committee and is not expected to come out.   There is a possibility that another senate bill might make its way through an alternate committee, but that cannot be confirmed at this time.

While there is a chance that Governor Perry will call a special session of the Texas Legislature after the regular session ends on May 31 – something that could open the door for an additional chance to get our legislation passed – there is no guarantee a special session will be called or that our legislation would be considered in such a special session.

The Texas Horsemen’s Partnership would like to thank you for your involvement in this legislative effort. Your numerous phone calls to House, Senate and committee members, personal visits with legislators, and your willingness to spread the word has advanced our effort much farther than ever before.

The work is not over. The Texas Horsemen’s Partnership, along with the other members of Texas HORSE, will continue to monitor this issue closely throughout the remainder of the session and provide information as it comes available.