MONTPELIER, Vt. (WCAX) The Vermont House has approved a bill that would merge the Vermont Lottery Commission with the Department of Liquor Control.

The plan was first proposed as an executive order by Gov. Phil Scott last year, but lawmakers, citing the complexity of the merger, opted to create a task force to study the issue and draft legislation.

The task force report issued in December found that combining the departments would result in "improved long-term accountability and responsibility." It recommended eventually creating a facility to house both operations. It also said the merger could create a framework to "potentially regulate the distribution and sale of other controlled substances" in the future.

The merger is not expected to result in any immediate cost savings, but sponsors say some positions could be eliminated over time through attrition.

The two operations bring in more than $200 million in revenue to the state.

Gov. Scott says he supports the House bill.

http://www.wcax.com/content/news/Vt-House-approves-liquor-control-lottery-merger-474849493.html