Horse Racing Year End Legislative Update AB 1316
Dickerson Horse racing: satellite wagering facilities. C-09/26/2002 09/26/2002-Chaptered
by Secretary of State - Chapter No. 872, Statues of 2002
Existing law
requires that in order to encourage and develop the racing of all horses in
California, regardless of breed, whenever a state designated fair conducts a
program of horse races on which there is parimutuel wagering, the fair, so
far as practicable, provide a program of racing that includes thoroughbred
racing, quarter horse racing, Arabian racing, and Appaloosa racing, if a
sufficient number of horses are available to provide competition in one or
more races. This bill would eliminate the requirement that the fair be
state-designated. This bill contains other related provisions and other existing
laws.
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for Bill text, analysis, votes, etc.
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AB 1317 was signed
by the Governor. This bill will permit the Shasta County fair to operate a
satellite facility off of the fairgrounds.
Harman Horse racing. C-08/26/2002 08/26/2002-Chaptered
by Secretary of State - Chapter No. 234, Statues of 2002
The existing
Horse Racing Law regulates the various forms of horse racing authorized in
this state. Under that existing law, a barrel race is defined as a horse race
around a course with 3 barrels placed in a triangular pattern which conforms
to the requirements of the Women's Professional Rodeo Association, a show
jumping race is defined as a horse race, over obstacles made of artificial or
natural material, which is shorter than a steeplechase course, and is run by
horses for time with faults converted to time and which conforms to the
requirements and rules of the American Horse Shows Association, and a
steeplechase race is defined as horse racing over obstacles made of natural
or artificial material and includes both hurdle and timber races which
conform to rules of the National Steeplechase and Hunt Association. This bill
would make the compliance of these types of races with the requirements of
those rules of those associations voluntary. This bill contains other related
provisions and other existing laws.
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for Bill text, analysis, votes, etc.
Leginfo Link
Signed by the
Governor.
Papan Satellite wagering. C-09/29/2002 09/29/2002-Chaptered
by Secretary of State - Chapter No. 1063, Statues of 2002
Existing law
provides for and regulates satellite wagering by eligible county fairs
subject to specified conditions, if approved by the Department of Food and
Agriculture and the California Horse Racing Board. Fairs in certain counties
have separate authorizations to operate satellite facilities. This bill would
authorize the San Mateo County Fair to operate a satellite wagering facility
on the fairgrounds or on leased premises in San Mateo County, if the racing
association licensed in the year 2002 to conduct thoroughbred race meetings
there is not so licensed in any subsequent year, and if approved by the
board, as specified. This satellite racing facility would be required to make
specified distributions to the same beneficiary that received those distributions
in 2002 from the San Mateo County Fair and the racing association licensed in
2002 to conduct thoroughbred race meetings in San Mateo County. This bill
contains other related provisions and other existing laws.
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for Bill text, analysis, votes, etc.
Leginfo Link
Signed by the
Governor.
Committee on
Governmental Organization Horse racing. C-09/26/2002 09/26/2002-Chaptered
by Secretary of State - Chapter No. 923, Statues of 2002
Existing law
relating to harness races provides for the distribution of a portion of the
parimutuel pool for purses, and provides for the allocation of the purse
money. Under existing law, no horse owner's license or license to conduct a
race meeting may be issued unless the applicant's liability for workers'
compensation is secured. Existing law provides that any termination of
liability coverage results in the immediate automatic suspension of the license
during the period of that termination, and is also a ground for revocation of
the license. This bill would provide that, with respect to a harness race
meeting, a portion of the money allocated for purses may be used to pay for
obtaining, providing, or defraying the cost of workers' compensation coverage
for stable employees and drivers of licensed standardbred trainers. The bill
would require a written agreement, subject to the approval of the board,
between the racing association that conducts the live harness race meeting
and the organization representing the horsemen participating at the race
meeting specifying the portion, if any, to be used for these purposes. It
would require this portion to be jointly administered by the racing
association and the organization representing the horsemen. This bill
contains other related provisions.
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for Bill text, analysis, votes, etc.
Leginfo Link
This bill provides
funding for workers comp for harness horse backstretch workers and corrects a
technical drafting error in AB 2619. It was signed by the Governor.
Wyland Horse racing. C-06/30/2002 06/30/2002-Chaptered
by Secretary of State - Chapter No. 90, Statues of 2002
Under
existing law, the organization representing the horsemen at a horse racing
event receives distributions of funds for purses to be paid to or for the
benefit of the horsemen at the racing meeting. Of the portion of the takeout
to be paid as purses, the horsemen's organization representing the horsemen
receives a percentage for administrative expenses and services rendered to
the horsemen. Under existing law which is scheduled to be repealed by its own
terms on January 1, 2004, any association, including a fair, that conducts
thoroughbred racing must pay to the owners' organization contracting with the
association an additional percentage for a national marketing program, as
specified, to promote thoroughbred racing unless the owners' organization
chooses not to contribute to the program. This same law requires the owners'
association annually to file a report with the board and the Legislature, as
specified, accounting for the receipt and expenditures of these funds. This bill
would delay the repeal of these requirements until January 1, 2008.
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for Bill text, analysis, votes, etc.
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Signed by the
Governor.
Thomson Horse racing. C-09/26/2002 09/26/2002-Chaptered
by Secretary of State - Chapter No. 874, Statues of 2002
The
California Horse Racing Law puts authority over the regulation of horse
racing in the California Horse Racing Board. Existing law provides for the
San Mateo County Fair to conduct races with board approval at any location if
Bay Meadows closes. This bill would authorize the board to permit the Solano
County Fair to conduct live racing meetings at another site within or outside
Solano County, if the site of its 2002 racing meeting is no longer available
for horse racing in any subsequent year. This bill would permit that fair,
subject to the approval of the board, to conduct its racing dates at a
facility operated by a thoroughbred racing association or fair licensed to
conduct a racing meeting in the northern zone, as specified. This bill
contains other related provisions and other existing laws.
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for Bill text, analysis, votes, etc.
Leginfo Link
Signed by the
Governor.
Horton Horse racing. C-09/26/2002 09/26/2002-Chaptered
by Secretary of State - Chapter No. 924, Statues of 2002
Existing law
permits mule races to be conducted by any county fair, district agricultural
association fair, or citrus fruit fair, under specified circumstances.
Existing law provides that a license to conduct a racing meeting granted to
an association other than a fair shall be for only one type of racing, except
where specified. This bill would provide that a racing association licensed
to conduct a live quarter horse racing meeting may also conduct mule racing
at that meeting, with the approval of the California Horse Racing Board, and
subject to other specified conditions. This bill contains other related
provisions and other existing laws.
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for Bill text, analysis, votes, etc.
Leginfo Link
AB 2869 permits
mule racing at a Quarter Horse meet. It was
signed by the Governor.
Horton Horse racing. C-09/26/2002 09/26/2002-Chaptered
by Secretary of State - Chapter No. 922, Statues of 2002
Existing law
permits racing associations, fairs, and the organization responsible for
contracting with racing associations and fairs with respect to the conduct of
racing meetings, to form a private, statewide marketing organization to
market and promote thoroughbred and fair horse racing. Existing law requires
the marketing organization to annually submit to the California Horse Racing
Board a statewide marketing and promotion plan for thoroughbred and fair
horse racing. Existing law also specifies distributions to be distributed to
the marketing organization for the promotion of thoroughbred and fair horse
racing. This bill would specify that the marketing organization may also
obtain, provide, or defray the cost of workers' compensation coverage for
stable employees and jockeys of thoroughbred trainers. This bill would
require the marketing organization to annually submit a thoroughbred
trainers' workers' compensation defrayal plan for thoroughbred and fair horse
racing to the board. This bill would permit specified funds distributed to
the marketing organization to be used to defray the cost of workers'
compensation coverage for stable employees and jockeys of thoroughbred
trainers. This bill contains other related provisions and other existing
laws.
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for Bill text, analysis, votes, etc.
Leginfo Link
This is the workers
comp funding bill. It was an urgency measure and became effective upon the
signature of the Governor on 9/26.
SB 811 O’Connell School Curriculum
SB 811 would
have expressed the legislature’s intent that state and local professional
development activities provide teachers with content background and resources,
to assist in teaching that promotes compassion and respect for both humans
and animals.
SB 811 was strongly
opposed by most livestock, poultry and horse organizations, including the
Farm Bureau, Cattlemen’s Association, dairy and poultry organizations, CTBA,
CTT, and the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association, because it appeared to
equate humans and animals. It was sponsored by animal rights organizations
who have advocated that any use of an animal is “exploitation of that
animal”. They are opposed to horse racing, circuses, rodeos, and other events
that use animals for entertainment.
The bill died in
the Assembly Education Committee when the author decided not to bring it up
for a vote.
Vincent Horse racing. C-09/26/2002 09/26/2002-Chaptered
by Secretary of State - Chapter No. 904, Statues of 2002
Existing law
requires each licensed racing association to designate a certain number of
racing days to be conducted as charity days for the purpose of the
distribution of the net proceeds therefrom to beneficiaries. Existing law
also requires that beneficiaries of these proceeds be exempt or entitled to
exemption from state and federal income taxes, involved in specified
beneficial activities, and approved by the California Horse Racing Board.
Existing law also requires that at least 20% of the distribution from charity
day racing go to charities associated with the horse racing industry. This
bill would provide that, in addition to the 20% of the distribution from
charity day racing that is required to go to charities associated with the
horse racing industry, another 5% of the distribution shall be provided to a
welfare fund established for the benefit of horsemen and backstretch
personnel, as specified, and another 5% of the distribution shall be provided
to a nonprofit corporation assisting horsemen and backstretch personnel who
are affected adversely as a result of alcohol or substance abuse. In
addition, this bill would require that an additional 20% of the distribution
from charity day racing, up to a maximum of $2,000,000, shall be provided as
an endowment for a nonprofit corporation or trust which assists disabled
jockeys, as provided.
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for Bill text, analysis, votes, etc.
Leginfo Link
SB 1337 was signed
by the Governor.
Vincent Horse racing. C-08/26/2002 08/26/2002-Chaptered
by Secretary of State - Chapter No. 282, Statues of 2002
Existing law
defines "California-bred" horses based on the type of horse and
whether the foal was conceived or born in this state. This bill would provide
that a "California-bred paint horse" is a registered paint horse
foal conceived in California by a stallion standing in California at the time
of conception, or by a registered paint horse stallion. This bill contains
other related provisions and other existing laws.
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for Bill text, analysis, votes, etc.
Leginfo Link SB 1764 Costa
Horse racing SB 1764 would
have provided that the Fresno Fair would receive a percentage of the combined
satellite wagering commissions payable to a thoroughbred association and the
fair. It was the subject of intense negotiations between the Fresno Fair and
Magna and when an agreement couldn’t be reached it was held in committee
SB 1764 was a very
controversial bill which was strongly opposed by Magna. It eventually died in
committee but the subject of overlap became a topic for a hearing at the
Fresno Fair on October 9th. Most people believe that the subject
will be resurrected again next year, but with Senator Costa termed out, the
Fresno Fair will have to find another author and try to negotiate an agreement with Magna.
Karnette Horse racing. C-08/26/2002 08/26/2002-Chaptered
by Secretary of State - Chapter No. 268, Statues of 2002
Under
existing law, the California Horse Racing Board is authorized to permit a
harness or quarter horse association conducting a race meeting to accept
wagers on the results of out-of-state, out-of-country, and sometimes other
harness or quarter horse races, if specified conditions are met. One of these
conditions is that, the association imports no more than 6 races on live
racing days. Another is that, subject to specified conditions and
limitations, if only one breed is being raced on a given live racing day, the
live racing association may import additional races that would otherwise be
simulcast by the association which is not racing. This bill would allow an
association permitted to import up to 6 races pursuant to the applicable
provision above, if it imports fewer than the 6 races authorized for a given
night, to later import races equal in number to those foregone, provided that
no more than 2 races could be reserved or added on a single night of racing.
This bill would provide that the total number of races imported under these
provisions by an association in a calendar year may not exceed the total number
of imported races authorized by the formulas in existing law.
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for Bill text, analysis, votes, etc.
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Signed by the
Governor. This bill permits additional harness and quarter horse races to be
imported under certain conditions.
October 13, 2002
AB 1803
AB 2338
AB 2384
AB 2502
AB 2554
AB 2869
AB 2931
SB 1337
SB 1340
SB 2035
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