Rendering of proposed stadium for Raiders in Las Vegas. (MANICA Architecture)

The state of Nevada got one step closer to being the next home of the NFL’s Raiders on Tuesday.

The state senate amended and passed a bill that would raise taxes on hotel rooms in Clark County. These funds would go toward building a domed stadium that would be presumably for an NFL franchise. The raised funds would also go toward improving the Las Vegas Convention Center.

The bill passed 16-5 in the senate and will now move to the state assembly. Here is what the most recent version of the bill says.

SB1 raises lodging taxes mostly paid by tourists to help pay for a $1.9 billion domed stadium backed by the family of Las Vegas Sands Corp. Chairman Sheldon Adelson. The 65,000-seat stadium, to be built at a yet to be determined site, is the proposed future home of the NFL’s Oakland Raiders and UNLV football teams. Mark Davis, owner of the Raiders, has said he will seek to bring the team to Las Vegas if the stadium is built.

The bill would boost the room tax rate by 0.88 of a percentage point to finance $750 million in general obligation bonds over 30 years. Adelson has pledged $650 million; the Raiders have committed $500 million.

A separate provision would add another 0.5 percentage point increase to fund $400 million of a $1.4 billion upgrade to the Las Vegas Convention Center.

Despite it’s passing, there was plenty of contention on whether to send the bill on. The vote came as part of a special session called by Nevada Governor Brian Sandoval. Both sides reportedly went back and forth regarding the state raising taxes to build a stadium for a team that would be owned by wealthy people. Ultimately, supporters of the bill leaned on job creation and what they say will make the Sin City an international destination.

It is unclear how the assembly is expected to vote on this issue. Either way, the folks in favor of bringing an NFL team (specifically, the Oakland Raiders) have to be excited at the fact they are one step closer to having an NFL team in Las Vegas.

[Las Vegas Review-Journal]

About Ryan Williamson

Ryan is a recent graduate of the University of Missouri and has recently returned to his Minnesota roots. He previously has worked for the Columbia Missourian, KFAN radio in Minneapolis and BringMeTheNews.com. Feel free to email me at rwilliamson29 AT Gmail dot com.