A once thought dead bingo bill has new life in what the bill's author calls a shorter, simpler form.
In a surprise move Tuesday afternoon, Senator Roger Bedford re-introduced Senate Bill 330. He then substituted to new version. Senate Republicans tried to defeat the measure but to no avail, it passed 21 votes to 13.
The bill now goes to the House for passage there. There are still three weeks left in the session, and bingo supporters say they'll have plenty of time to get it passed so Alabama residents will get the chance to vote on it in November.