BILL ANALYSIS Ó
AB 1786
Page 1
Date of Hearing: April 20, 2016
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
Lorena Gonzalez, Chair
AB
1786 (Cooley) - As Introduced February 4, 2016
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Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program: NoReimbursable: No
SUMMARY:
This bill modifies the requirements the California Standardbred
Sires Stakes Program. Specifically, this bill:
1)Expands eligibility to race in the California Standardbred
Sires Stakes Program to include the offspring of registered
Standardbred stallions standing in Iowa, Wisconsin, Minnesota,
Michigan, Maine, or the Province of Alberta, Canada.
AB 1786
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2)Changes the requirement that races be scheduled for both
two-year-old and three-year-old trotters to a requirement that
races be scheduled for either two-year-old or three-year-old
trotters.
3)Deletes the requirement that two- and three-year-old races be
divided into colt and filly divisions.
4)Establishes the percentages to be allocated for horses
finishing in first through fifth place, inclusive, regardless
of the number of starters in the race.
FISCAL EFFECT:
Negligible fiscal impact.
COMMENTS:
1)Background. Existing law provides incentives for the breeding
and owning of California-bred horses. The California
Standardbred Sires Stakes Committee (CSSSC) is a non-profit
public benefit corporation that administers the Standardbred
Breeders Program (Program). The Program is funded from the
breakage at harness race meets and an additional one percent
takeout on all exotic wagering at harness race meets. In FY
2014-15, the Program generated approximately $225,000.
AB 1786
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While the Program provides financial incentives for the
breeding and development of Standardbred horses, there has
nevertheless been a steep decline in the number of
Standardbred foals born in California. In 2015, there were
just 15 Standardbred foals born, compared to 190 born in 2004.
According to the sponsor of the bill, the California Harness
Horsemen's Association, this decline can be attributed to
breeders leaving California for other states that have slot
machine revenues to supplement purse pools.
2)Purpose. According to supporters, AB 1786 is will help support
breeding of Standardbred horses on California farms, attract
more horses to California, increase the overall horse
population, and add more live racing days to the annual
calendar.
Analysis Prepared by:Luke Reidenbach / APPR. / (916)
319-2081