Committee advances bill to enable more than $200 million redevelopment of idle stadium near I‑40

Chairman Farmer told the committee that an amendment (drafting code 017237) rewrote House Bill 2496 to incorporate language suggested by the Department of Revenue and to enable a redevelopment project for an empty baseball stadium near the I‑40, described in committee as a more than $200 million private investment.

The sponsor said the change came after stakeholder suggestions and Department of Revenue input; the amendment was adopted without objection. "This will allow for a 200 plus million dollar investment into that stadium," the sponsor said when describing the amended bill.

Committee members offered no extended debate on the substance after the amendment and the bill was advanced to Calendar and Rules on a unanimous recorded vote.

The bill text as amended incorporates revenue‑related adjustments but committee discussion did not include detailed construction financing or municipal contribution terms; members said they would rely on the agency and fiscal review for specifics as the measure moves forward.