ST. PAUL – A Vikings stadium construction proposal took its biggest step forward Monday night when a House committee approved the nearly $1 billion plan.

After a decade of discussion about whether to build a new stadium, the House commerce committee decided on a split voice vote to advance the plan. Since the bill missed a legislative deadline, the House Rules Committee now must give it special permission for more committee hearings if it is to remain alive.

The panel also approved a financing plan in a separate bill.

A similar stadium bill is stalled in a Senate committee.

The commerce committee considered two stadium-related bills, one by Rep. Morrie Lanning, R-Moorhead, to build a stadium and another by Rep. John Kriesel, R-Cottage Grove, to pay for it.

Repaying money borrowed for construction is expected to cost $42 million a year, and Kriesel said his bill would provide the state $52 million.

Money comes from allowing electronic devices to be used along with traditional paper pull-tab and bingo games, which charities said would increase the number of players. Kriesel also would allow sports-themed tip boards, a gambling game that is not based on who wins a game, but the game’s score.

Kriesel’s bill would increase charities’ take from gambling by $36 million annually.

Gov. Mark Dayton said that while revising the proposal and getting a committee hearing were “very positive steps,” he was not happy being blindsided with news that Lanning had a new plan. He and Lanning plan to meet today.

The governor also said Kriesel’s tip board proposal may violate federal law.

Danielle Nordine and Don Davis work for Forum Communications Co., which owns the News Tribune.