FINAL BILL REPORT

                   SB 6431

                          C 204 L 00

                      Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description:  Allowing for the dissemination of criminal history record information to the horse racing commission.

Sponsors:  Senators Heavey, West, Prentice, Hale, Winsley, Horn, Gardner and Roach; by request of Horse Racing Commission.

Senate Committee on Commerce, Trade, Housing & Financial Institutions

House Committee on Judiciary

Background:  The Washington State Horse Racing Commission licenses, regulates, and supervises parimutuel horse racing in Washington State.  The Horse Racing Commission has five commissioners and four ex-officio legislative members.

The commission requires licensure for all individuals who participate in racing at a race track.  Examples of individuals licensed by the commission include jockeys, horse owners, trainers, veterinarians, horse grooms and exercise riders.  The Horse Racing Commission also licenses racing associations.

During the licensing background investigation process, the commission considers the criminal background of each applicant.  An applicant=s criminal background may contain two types of data.  Conviction data includes all arrests, detentions, or other formal charges and their disposition.  In addition, conviction data includes arrests that are pending and less than one year old.  Nonconviction data includes arrests, detentions, and formal criminal charges which have not led to convictions and which are not currently pending.  Nonconviction data also includes arrests with no disposition that are over one year old.

Concerns exist that the Horse Racing Commission cannot adequately perform licensing background investigations without access to nonconviction data.

Summary:  The Horse Racing Commission is authorized to receive criminal history record information that includes nonconviction data for use in determining suitability for involvement in horse racing activities.  The Horse Racing Commission is prohibited from disseminating or using nonconviction data for purposes other than investigations.  A termination date of June 30, 2003, is added.

Votes on Final Passage:

Senate 39 8

House8810(House amended)

Senate 38 8(Senate concurred)

Effective:June 8, 2000