With the “First Decking” deadline coming up on Friday, legislators and lobbyists are making last minute runs at saving their favorite bills or issues, often by maneuvering around House and Senate rules and procedures.

Here’s an example. SB2893, “to perform a comprehensive analysis of the social and financial costs and benefits of different types of gambling and their impacts on the State,” was referred to the committee on Economic Development and Technology, and then on to Ways and Means. When EDT failed to hear the bill, it missed the “lateral” deadline, which is when bills have to get into the hands of the final committee. That effectively killed the measure.

But a new hearing notice has been posted for a joint hearing of EDT and WAM, “pending” a joint re-referral. I suppose this indicates a deal has been struck to approve the new referral. Those not familiar with the insider rules may not recognize that a joint referral is different from a double referral. With a joint referral, the two committees act together, rather than consecutively, allowing them to meet the First Decking deadline.

There’s also another way to view it. The bill has a very general title, “Relating to Gambling,” although it is aimed only at establishing a study commission. It’s the kind of convenient title that would technically allow entirely new language to be substituted later, keeping the possibility of a more active pro-gambling bill to pop up again. More to watch for.