HOUSE BILL REPORT

SSB 5407

As Reported by House Committee On:

Commerce & Labor

Title:  An act relating to changing provisions relating to the import 2of simulcast horse races from out‑of‑state racing facilities to 3class 1 racing associations' live racing facilities.

Brief Description:  Allowing more simulcast horse racing.

Sponsors:  By Senate Committee on Labor, Commerce & Financial Institutions (originally sponsored by Senators West, Prentice, Kohl‑Welles, Gardner and Rasmussen).

Brief History:

Committee Activity:

Commerce & Labor:  3/27/01, 3/30/01 [DP].

Brief Summary of Substitute Bill

$Removes the limitation on the number of simulcast races a class 1 racing association may be authorized to import during its live race meet.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE & LABOR

Majority Report:  Do pass. Signed by 8 members: Representatives Clements, Republican Co‑Chair; Conway, Democratic Co‑Chair; B. Chandler, Republican Vice Chair; Wood, Democratic Vice Chair; Hunt, Kenney, Lisk and McMorris.

Staff:  Sydney Forrester (786‑7120).

Background:

Class one racing associations are those associations licensed by the Washington Horse Racing Commission to conduct at least 40 days of live racing in a 12-month period.  Class 1 associations may be authorized solely by the commission to import simulcasts of horse races from out-of-state racing facilities for the purpose of parimutuel wagering.  An association may be allowed to import: (1) unlimited simulcast races during its non-live race season; and (2) limited simulcast races during its live race meet. 

During both the live race meet and the non-live race season, a class 1 racing association may conduct parimutuel wagering up to five days each week.  The limits on the number of imported simulcast races during an association=s live meet are: (1) no more than one simulcast race per each live race day; and (2) no more than two simulcast races on two non-live race days per each week.

Summary of  Bill:

The limit on the number of simulcast races a class1 racing association may be authorized to import during its live race meet is lifted.  A class1association may be authorized by the commission to import as many simulcasts as the commission allows under the live race regulations.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

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

Testimony For:  None.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  None.