PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — The effort to bring professional baseball to the Rose City has cleared yet another hurdle.

Senate Bill 110, which would set aside $800 million for the construction of a new stadium if Portland gets its own Major League Baseball team, was approved by the Oregon House with a 46-6 vote on Tuesday. The legislation was first approved by the Oregon Senate in mid-April, and it passed through the House Revenue Committee just last week.

"Overwhelmingly passing SB 110 is more than securing funding support for a professional baseball stadium, this bill shows Major League Baseball Oregon is excited about America’s past time,” Portland Diamond Project Founder and President Craig Cheek said in response. “This is a perfect example of a public-private partnership.”

If Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek signs off on the bill, the project could be one step closer to seeing a new stadium along the South Waterfront. An MLB team has potential to boost the state’s economy, according to Rep. Christine Drazan.

“As Oregon’s anti-business climate continues to drive away valuable companies, an MLB stadium would create an opportunity to boost statewide revenue, and also hold Portland leaders accountable for improving safety and quality of life,” Rep. Drazan added in a statement.

However, she also mentioned the potential stadium funding in a statement from May, when Gov. Kotek proposed using a portion of kicker funds to cover wildfire suppression and mitigation statewide.

“We’re talking about a governor that is spending money, $800 million at least and more for public housing, $800 million at least on baseball for Portland,” Drazan said. “But when it comes to something as important and essential as wildfires, she wants to take the kicker from Oregonians.”

To clarify, the funding proposed through SB 110 would build on what has been dubbed the “jock tax.” In 2003, Oregon lawmakers approved a bill that would have allocated $150 million in bonds if Portland were awarded an MLB franchise. The Portland Diamond Project’s founder returned the bill to lawmakers this year to ask for additional money that reflects the sport’s current revenue.

Construction funds would be covered by the taxes enforced on teams and their staff, rather than taxpayers statewide. Under this proposal, stakeholders estimate bond dollars would be repaid within 30 years.

But the question of whether Portland is a top contender for the next professional baseball team remains.

ESPN has reported that MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred is set to retire in 2029. He revealed he is aiming for the league’s expansion, to 32 teams instead of 30, to be underway before the end of his term.

In addition to Portland, ESPN listed Salt Lake City, Nashville, Tenn. and Charlotte, N.C. among frontrunners to host the next franchise.