A clerks process tickets for the Powerball lottery at a Robinson & Son convenience store, Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2016, in Tallapoosa, Ga.

A lottery bill has again emerged in the Alabama Senate, apparently generating more enthusiasm among lawmakers to get a referendum before the voters.

Sen. Jim McClendon, R-Springville, introduced the the bill this week that would amend the state constitution to allow for a lottery. 

A second bill, he said, would outline the framework of how the state would administer a lottery.

McClendon described the bill as “clean,” meaning it would include no casinos or card or table games of any kind.

The first test of the bill will go to the Senate Tourism Committee, where Sen. Garlan Gudger, R-Cullman, is a member.

“I’ve read the bill and I’m already for it,” Gudger said. “Sen. McClendon has introduced lottery bills several times, but this one is simply about a lottery. It also clearly states that the money generated by the lottery will be divided evenly between the Education Trust Fund and the General Fund.”

Gudger said with the clear division prescribed in the bill for the two budgets will settle any potential controversies about appropriations.

“We know the General Fund desperately needs money, so with half of this going to that budget, it can go to needs such as mental health, law enforcement and many others,” Gudger said. “We know, too, that people have been wanting a lottery and a chance to vote on a clean lottery bill.”

Gudger said the Tourism Committee will begin discussing the bill after spring break when the Legislature reconvenes.

McClendon also said time is long overdue for Alabamians to have the opportunity to vote on a lottery.

“People have asking for it for years, but a lot of things got tangled into the original bills,” McClendon said. “We’re trying to avoid that happening. I know Georgia is at $500 million in the lottery right now and people are driving over there to get tickets. I would be irritated about that and I would be calling your legislators and tell them you want a lottery.”

The legislation would set up a lottery commission with appointed members, McClendon said. The commission would then choose a private company to manage the lottery. That company, in turn, would be barred from contributing any money to candidates or political action committees.

Alabama is surrounded by states with lotteries that generate hundreds of millions of dollars for budgets, including schools and vital public services.

The lottery bill in Alabama must originate in the Senate.

David Palmer may be contacted at 256-734-2131, ext. 116.