The new year is only six weeks old, yet already 10% of US states have filed new legislation aimed at authorizing legal sports betting within their borders.

On Wednesday, a pair of Maryland Republican state delegates – Jason Buckel and Kevin Hornberger – filed HB 989, which would establish a “Task Force to Study the Implementation of Sports Gaming.” Its aim would be to recommend the best foot forward should there be some change in US federal law that currently prohibits sports betting.

The Task Force would consist of three delegates, three state senators, the director of Maryland’s gaming regulatory agency, plus representatives from the state’s video lottery operators (aka casino operators) and horseracing licensees. The latter two groups would be eligible to apply for a ‘sports gaming license.’

HB 989 requires a lot of things to happen before it would take effect, including repeal or amendment of the federal PASPA sports betting prohibition. Even then, HB 989 would require approval via a voter referendum at the next November general election following passage.