AB 900 Goes to Governor

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Jan. 12, 2004) – AB 900, a bill that would help offset workers’ compensation costs for trainers, passed the Assembly by a vote of 78-0 and was sent to Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.

If Schwarzenegger signs the bill, which was approved by the Senate in September, it would go into effect immediately and raise an estimated $10 million to help pay horsemen’s insurance premiums. The money would come from a 0.5 percent increase on exotic takeouts.

Supporters of the bill, authored by Jerome Horton (D-Inglewood), argue that even with the increase the takeout from exotics bets of California thoroughbred races is lower than almost other states.