HOUSE BILL REPORT

                 EHB 2672

                  As Amended by the Senate

Title:  An act relating to prohibiting greyhound racing in the state of Washington.

Brief Description:  Prohibiting greyhound racing.

Sponsors:  Representatives Van Luven, Romero, Sheahan, Tokuda, Schoesler, D. Sommers, Murray and L. Thomas.

Brief History:

  Committee Activity:

Trade & Economic Development:  1/25/96 [DP].

  Floor Activity:

Passed House:  2/8/96, 91-7.

Senate Amended.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON TRADE & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Majority Report:  Do pass.  Signed by 11 members:  Representatives Van Luven, Chairman; Radcliff, Vice Chairman; Sheldon, Ranking Minority Member; Veloria, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Backlund; Ballasiotes; Hatfield; Hickel; Mason; Skinner and Valle.

Minority Report:  Do not pass.  Signed by 1 member:  Representative Sherstad.

Staff:  Kenny Pittman (786-7392).

Background:   The state of Washington regulates gambling under the Gambling Act of 1973.  Currently, the state has not authorized either live or simulcast of greyhound racing for the purpose of public exhibition, parimutuel betting, or special exhibition events.

Summary of Bill:   Greyhound racing is prohibited in the state of Washington.  A person may not (1) hold, conduct, or operate live greyhound racing in the state for public exhibition, parimutuel betting, or special exhibition events; (2) transmit or receive intrastate or interstate simulcasting of greyhound racing for commercial, parimutuel, or exhibition purposes; or (3) transmit or receive intrastate or interstate simulcasting of greyhound races for commercial, parimutuel, or special exhibition purposes that are legally established by a Washington treaty tribe.  Greyhound exhibits can be held, provided that gambling activities are not conducted.

Violation of the act is a class B felony (professional gambling in the first degree) which is punishable by confinement in a state correctional institution for a maximum term up to 10 years, or by a maximum fine up to $20,000, or both confinement and fine.

EFFECT OF SENATE AMENDMENT(S): The Senate amendments (1) delete the intent section of the bill, and (2) partially delete a sentence that referred to greyhound racing that is legally established by a Washington treaty tribe, but retained language that prohibits a person from transmitting or receiving a simulcast of greyhound racing.  This exact language already exists in the preceding sentence.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:   The state needs to ban this activity.  Greyhound racing is having financial problems in other states.  The treatment that greyhounds receive is inhumane, and owners are destroying dogs that can no longer race.  Greyhounds are often abused by their trainers and kept locked up in small cages for long periods.  Although there are efforts to place greyhounds in the homes of people that want them, they are reaching the limits.

Testimony Against: None.

Testified:   (Pro) Representative Steve Van Luven, prime sponsor; Will Anderson, Progressive Animal Welfare Society; Mimi Cristall, Ann Maria Shields, and Jim Walker, Greyhound Protection League; Kay Farrell, Equal Animal Rights Society; Helena Shelley, Tears for Pasado; Debra Lorsbach; and Mary Lou Calo.