BILL NUMBER: SB 766	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Senator Negrete McLeod

                        FEBRUARY 27, 2009

   An act relating to horse racing.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   SB 766, as introduced, Negrete McLeod. Horse racing.
   Existing law, the Horse Racing Law, generally regulates horse
racing and parimutuel wagering on horse races. Existing law requires
various deductions and distributions to be made from parimutuel pools
as specified.
   This bill would express the Legislature's findings and
declarations regarding the threat to the horse racing industry in
California due to escalating costs. The bill would declare the intent
of the Legislature to enact legislation to deduct an additional
percentage of the total amount handled in parimutuel pools of
thoroughbred horse races, to establish a joint powers agency to
collect that additional money and issue bonds, and to use the money
primarily for capital improvement financing.
   Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: no.
State-mandated local program: no.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  SECTION 1.  (a) The Legislature finds and declares all of the
following:
   (1) The existence of high caliber thoroughbred horse racing in
California is important to the state's agricultural economy.
   (2) The California horse racing industry is being threatened by
the escalating costs of doing business in California, including, but
not limited to, workers' compensation insurance costs. These costs
are not only causing thoroughbred horses and trainers to leave the
state, but are also discouraging owners and trainers from bringing
horses into this state to compete.
   (b) It is therefore the intent of the Legislature to provide some
relief from these escalating costs through the redistribution of the
parimutuel handle on wagers.
   (c) In this regard, it is the intent of the Legislature to enact
legislation that would do all of the following:
   (1) Deduct an additional percentage of the total amount handled in
all parimutuel pools of thoroughbred races run in California.
   (2) Establish a joint powers agency to collect and distribute the
money accumulated pursuant to paragraph (1), to issue bonds, and to
be accountable to the California Horse Racing Board for the use of
those funds.
   (3) Use the money collected pursuant to paragraph (1) primarily
for the financing of capital improvements to provide adequate
stabling and training facilities for thoroughbred horses, and
secondarily to supplement the costs of workers' compensation
insurance incurred in connection with thoroughbred horse racing.