By MICHAEL CLARK, Staff Writer of the Atlantic City Press | Posted: Monday, November 22, 2010 in the Atlantic City Press.

TRENTON – The state Senate voted on November 22, 2010  to amend two landmark bills that would outline the future of Atlantic City.

The Senate had been scheduled to vote on bills that would create a district around Atlantic City’s casinos and major tourism areas, which would be managed by the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority (S-11) and would move casinos regulatory powers from the Casino Control Commission to the Division of Gaming Enforcement (S-12). That bill would alter about 250 casino regulations.

However, the Senate had to put off votes today because bills can’t receive final votes immediately after being amended on the Senate floor. The amendments to both bills were approved unanimously.

Under the changes, a group of casino executives known as the Atlantic City Alliance would partner directly with the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority to undertake a five-year national tourism marketing program.

Major changes to the bills include canceling a proposed tax break for casinos on complimentary vouchers. That move would restore close to $8 million in Casino Revenue Fund taxes for senior citizen programs. The amendments also create an advisory commission within the CRDA and maintain the Atlantic City Convention and Visitors Authority and the Atlantic City Special Improvement District as divisions of the CRDA, rather than abolishing them.

The amendments appear to be the result of ongoing negotiations between Whelan and other sponsors, the Governor’s Office and Republican legislators.

Highlights of the amendments include:
- The Atlantic City Alliance, a nonprofit group headed by casino executives, would partner directly with the CRDA to undertake a five-year national marketing program.
- The Division of Gaming Enforcement would have the authority to repeal regulations or create new ones for a 270-day trial period. This would allow the division to implement Internet gaming, at least temporarily.
- A tax break for casinos on complimentary vouchers is cancelled, restoring nearly $8 million in Casino Revenue Fund taxes for senior-citizen programs.
- The creation of the Atlantic City Tourism District Advisory Commission, or ACT Commission, which would review the CRDA’s annual budget, review the authority’s plans for the district and make recommendations.
- A city police precinct would be established within the district, which would be staffed, operated and funded by the city. However, the Division of State Police would craft a operational plan for the area’s law enforcement.
- The swapping of responbilities from the Casino Control Commission to the Division of Gaming Enforcement would take effect 90 days after the law passes, instead six months.
- The Atlantic City Convention and Visitors Authority and the Atlantic City Special Improvement District would be maintained as divisions of the CRDA.

Posted in ATLANTIC CITY | ATLANTIC-CITY PLEASANTVILLE BRIGANTINE on Monday, November 22, 2010 6:00 pm Updated: 7:48 pm.