HB72 Alabama 2022 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Ralph Howard

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2022

Title

Lottery, authorized, Alabama Lottery Corporation, created, Lottery Trust Fund, established, distrib. of proceeds, Sec. 65, Constitution of Alabama of 1901 am'd., const. amend.

Summary

HB72 would amend the Alabama Constitution to authorize a state lottery, create a Lottery Corporation and Lottery Commission to run and regulate it, and establish a dedicated Lottery Trust Fund with specific funding allocations.

What This Bill Does

It would permit the establishment of an Alabama Lottery and create the Alabama Lottery Corporation to administer it and the Alabama Lottery Commission to supervise it. It would set up the Lottery Trust Fund to hold and distribute lottery proceeds, including specific shares for scholarships and education, Medicaid expansion, and community service grants, with remaining funds guided by the Legislature. It would define allowed games (including Powerball/Mega Millions and instant games), allow online and retail sales, and prohibit casinos and live dealers, while requiring enabling legislation to implement the changes and establishing governance and ethics rules.

Who It Affects

• Alabama residents who would be able to purchase lottery tickets (18 years or older) and participate in various games at retailers or via online/mobile platforms.
• Education-related programs and health and community services funded by the Lottery Trust Fund (Education Trust Fund scholarships and other education uses, Medicaid expansion, and community service grants), along with general state budget needs as determined by the Legislature.

Key Provisions

• Establishes the Alabama Lottery Corporation to administer the lottery as an independent public entity.
• Creates the Alabama Lottery Commission to regulate and supervise the Corporation, with four members appointed by the Governor (two), Lieutenant Governor (one), President Pro Tempore of the Senate (one), and Speaker of the House (one); terms are four years with staggered initial terms and Senate confirmation after initial appointments.
• Imposes ethics, residency, and conflict-of-interest rules for commissioners; requires diversity considerations in appointments; provides for interim appointments and vacancy procedures.
• Creates the Lottery Trust Fund to receive and manage net lottery proceeds after expenses and prizes; requires monthly transfers of surplus funds and investment of the fund with earnings accruing to it.
• Specifies allocations from the Lottery Trust Fund: 25% to Education Trust Fund for a two-year college scholarship program; 20% to Education Trust Fund for other uses; 15% to General Fund for Medicaid expansion; 20% to General Fund for community service grants; 20% to General Fund for other Legislature-determined uses.
• Allows a wide range of lottery games (draw, interstate like Powerball/Mega Millions, and instant tickets) and mobile/online purchases; prohibits casinos, live dealers, and certain gambling devices; sets age limit at 18 for ticket purchases.
• Requires the Legislature to enact general laws to implement the amendment; the new framework would supersede conflicting existing laws.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 22, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Constitutional Amendments