SENATE BILL REPORT
SHB 1027
As Reported By Senate Committee On:
Labor, Commerce & Financial Institutions, March 22, 2001
Title: An act relating to the live horse racing compact.
Brief Description: Establishing the live horse racing compact.
Sponsors: By House Committee on Commerce & Labor (originally sponsored by Representatives Cairnes, Cody, Kenney, D. Schmidt and Dunn; by request of Horse Racing Commission).
Brief History:
Committee Activity: Labor, Commerce & Financial Institutions: 3/20/01, 3/22/01 [DP, DNP].
SENATE COMMITTEE ON LABOR, COMMERCE & FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS
Majority Report: Do pass.
Signed by Senators Prentice, Chair; Benton, Deccio, Franklin, Hochstatter, Honeyford, Rasmussen, Regala and Winsley.
Minority Report: Do not pass.
Signed by Senator Fairley.
Staff: Catherine Mele (786‑7470)
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 members.
The Horse Racing Commission approved 5,648 licenses in 2000. The commission requires licensure for all individuals who participate in racing at a Washington race track. Examples of individuals licensed by the commission include jockeys, horse owners, trainers, veterinarians, horse groomers, and exercise riders. The Horse Racing Commission also licenses racing associations.
Many participants in the horse racing industry travel from state to state to participate in various races. There are concerns that the requirement of licensure in every state is time consuming. As a result, there is currently an effort to create a nationwide licensing entity for participants in the horse racing industry.
Summary of Amended Bill: Washington is authorized to participate in a national racing license program through a live horse racing compact.
One representative appointed by the Governor from each compacting state serves on a compact committee which issues one national license to participate in horse racing in each member state. The committee has the authority to (1) determine which categories of participants in live horse racing should be licensed; (2) establish the requirements and the term for initial licensure of applicants; (3) receive criminal history information necessary to determine whether a license should be issued; (4) issue and renew licenses; (5) organize and manage the business of the compact committee; (6) charge a fee for applications; and (7) receive funds through gifts, grants, or appropriations.
The compact committee must establish licensing requirements comparable to the most restrictive requirements of any member state. The Horse Racing Commission may charge a fee for the use of a compact license in Washington. The commission retains the right to suspend or revoke a compact committee license. The Horse Racing Commission agrees to accept the decisions of the compact committee regarding license issuance and renewal.
The compact committee does not have the power to deny a horse racing license. The compact committee must notify an applicant that it is unable to process a license, and the applicant has the right to bring additional evidence to the compact committee. If the compact committee does not process the individual=s license, the individual may seek to be licensed by each state.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Testimony For: Many times individuals working in horse racing travel from state to state to participate in various racing activities. Currently these individuals have to go through a repetitive licensing process. Under this bill, a national racing license is issued and individuals will be able to use it in Washington as well as other participating racing states. A national horse racing licensing program will help the states reduce regulatory burdens for horse racing licensees.
Testimony Against: None.
Testified: Bruce Batson, Washington Horse Racing Commission (pro).