_______________________________________________
ENGROSSED SENATE BILL 6333
_______________________________________________
State of Washington 53rd Legislature 1994 Regular Session
By Senators Skratek, Gaspard, Quigley, Sheldon, Vognild, M. Rasmussen, McAuliffe, Wojahn, Drew, Snyder and Winsley
Read first time 01/19/94. Referred to Committee on Trade, Technology & Economic Development.
AN ACT Relating to economic development; creating new sections; and declaring an emergency.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The legislature finds that:
(1) In 1988 the thoroughbred racing industry provided over seven thousand jobs for the citizens of this state;
(2) In 1988 this industry provided well over thirty-seven million dollars to this state's economy;
(3) In 1988 over eleven million seven hundred thousand dollars was generated in direct tax payments to state and local governments;
(4) The horse racing industry is in a tremendous period of turmoil as a result of the closing of the Longacres race track in western Washington;
(5) There has been a reduction in the number of people seeking their livelihoods from this industry since 1991;
(6) There has been a reduction in the revenues generated by the horse racing industry since 1991;
(7) The long-term preservation of live horse racing in this state is dependent on the construction of a new race track in western Washington by 1995; and
(8) The process for selecting a new site is not moving along in a way that will guarantee the construction of a new track by 1995.
It is the intent of the legislature to establish a process that will guarantee the siting and construction of a new race track in western Washington within the next several years to preserve the thoroughbred racing industry and the thousands of jobs and revenues generated by this industry.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. The governor shall appoint within thirty days of the effective date of this act a thoroughbred racing preservation fact-finding panel to develop the steps, strategies, and timeline necessary to preserve the live horse racing industry in this state. The panel also shall identify the public policy issues that are inherent in the siting of a new thoroughbred race track in this state. These issues shall include:
(1) The long-term preservation of the live horse racing industry and the jobs and tax base derived from this industry;
(2) The integration of economic development and environmental enhancement;
(3) Public safety for individuals visiting and working at the track;
(4) The adequacy of the transportation corridors servicing a proposed site;
(5) The likelihood of a track succeeding economically in a particular site;
(6) The requirements of the clean water act;
(7) Growth management issues; and
(8) The financing capability of a proposed project developer.
The panel shall determine the factors that must be present at the chosen site to ensure that the public policy issues identified by the panel are adequately addressed. The panel shall forward recommendations, including site-specific recommendations, to the governor and the horse racing commission within ninety days of appointment.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. The governor shall appoint the following members to the thoroughbred racing preservation fact-finding panel: Three representatives of the live horse racing industry in this state; one representative of the building industry with broad land development experience; one individual with extensive local government planning experience; one representative of the department of ecology; and an economist from the department of revenue. Members of the panel shall not have any personal or financial interest in the siting of a new race track at a particular location. The governor shall consider the appointment of an additional nonvoting, neutral member of the panel who shall act as chair. This individual shall have experience facilitating the discussion of complex public policy issues. The senate trade, technology and economic development committee shall provide staffing for the panel.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. The panel shall expire July 1, 1994.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 5. This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and shall take effect immediately.
--- END ---