Brief Description: Affording certain information held by the horse racing commission the same protection from public inspection as other regulated entities.

Sponsors: Senate Committee on Labor, Commerce, Research & Development (originally sponsored by Senators Rasmussen, Hewitt and Kohl-Welles).

Hearing Date: 3/30/05

Staff: Hannah Lidman (786-7291).

Background:

Each state and local agency is required to make all public records available for public inspection and copying unless the record is exempted from disclosure. The Legislature has enacted a number of exemptions preventing disclosure of financial information contained in the applications for state licensing, including applications for gambling licenses.

Horse racing is not defined as gambling under the state's gambling law. As a result, the Attorney General's Office has indicated that horse racing licenses are not covered under this exemption.

These exemptions do not apply when information, that would violate personal privacy or vital government interests, can be deleted or redacted from the record.

The Washington State Horse Racing Commission (Commission) issues licenses for which applications containing financial information are required. The three types of licenses issued by the Commission are:

• racetrack licenses, including three classes of licenses for owned, leased and nonprofit tracks;
• individual licenses for owners, trainers, jockeys, and attendants; and
• advance deposit wagering service provider licenses.

Advanced deposit wagering allows participants to pay for parimutuel wagers by telephone or other electronic means. Under an advanced deposit wagering system, an entity contracts with the racing association to provide communication services, and operates as a third party intermediary between the person placing the parimutuel wager and the organization conducting the horse racing meet. The licensing process requires applicants to be licensed to provide certain information, which can include information relating to terms and conditions negotiated between the applicant and the organization conducting horse racing meets.

Summary of Bill:

Certain financial information related to an application for a horse racing license is exempt from public disclosure.

Senate Bill Compared to House Bill

SSB 5951 is identical to SHB 2071 which was passed out by the State Government Operations and Accountability Committee earlier this session.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.