Iowa Specifies Operating Location

House File 103, introduced by Rep. Gary B. Blodgett (R), relates to the operating location of licensed excursion gambling boats, specifying after July 1, 1999, the Iowa Racing & Gaming Commission "shall issue or renew a license for an excursion gambling boat operation only if the boat operates on the Mississippi or Missouri River, or in Clarke County." The measure was referred to the State Government Committee. In New York, S. 1399, introduced by Sens. Frank Padavan (R), Joseph R. Holland (R), Kenneth P. LaValle (R) and John J. Marchi (R), would prohibit gambling "cruises to nowhere" from New York. The prohibition would not apply to gambling activity conducted on vessels traveling to New York from a foreign nation or another state, up to point of first entry into New York waters. Nor would it apply to vessels traveling from New York to a foreign country or another state, starting from the point of departure from New York waters. The measure was referred to the Codes Committee. General Bill 3002 would prohibit gambling on "cruises to nowhere" from South Carolina. The measure is currently in the Senate Judiciary Committee, having been passed by the House. Rep. David H. Wilkins (R) is the primary sponsor of the legislation, which would take effect upon approval by the governor. Finally, Senate Bill 802, introduced by Sen. Edward L. Schrock (R), would prohibit gaming "cruises to nowhere" in Virginia. The measure advanced rapidly through the Senate, receiving the unanimous approval of the Courts of Justice and Finance. The full Senate, after voting 39-0 to dispense with a constitutional reading of the bill, approved the measure by a vote of 40-0, and sent it to the House, where it was referred to the Courts of Justice Committee.