HOUSE BILL REPORT
SB 5389
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in
their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a
statement of legislative intent.
As Passed House:
April 4, 2007
Title: An act relating to importing a simulcast race of regional or national interest on horse race days.
Brief Description: Approving the importing of one simulcast race of regional or national interest on horse race days.
Sponsors: By Senator Hewitt.
Brief History:
Commerce & Labor: 3/27/07 [DP].
Floor Activity:
Passed House: 4/4/07, 95-0.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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HOUSE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE & LABOR
Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 7 members: Representatives Conway, Chair; Wood, Vice Chair; Condotta, Ranking Minority Member; Chandler, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Green, Moeller and Williams.
Staff: Joan Elgee (786-7106).
Background:
The Washington Horse Racing Commission (Commission) licenses horse racing associations
and is otherwise responsible for regulating horse racing in Washington. A class 1 racing
association is one that owns and operates its own race facility and offers at least 40 race days
a year. The Commission also licenses nonprofit races that are of 10 days or less and which
have an average daily handle of $120,000 or less.
Simulcasting is the process of offering wagering on a horse race that is broadcast live on
television from a race track. Imported simulcasts originate at racetracks outside the state.
Class 1 racetracks are allowed to show simulcast signals from, and conduct wagering on,
imported simulcast signals. Legislation passed in 2004 deleted the authority of other
racetracks to import one simulcast race of regional or national interest on each live race day.
Summary of Bill:
A nonprofit racing association may be approved by the Commission to import one simulcast
race of regional or national interest on each live race day.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Effective Date: The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect immediately.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony:
(In support) This bill restores language inadvertently removed in 2004. It would allow the
Kennewick track to simulcast the Kentucky Derby and the Waitsburg track to simulcast the
Preakness. The Horse Racing Commission unanimously approved this bill. Nurturing the
small tracks is very important.
(Opposed) None.
Persons Testifying: Carol Smith-Merkulov and Robert Leichner, Washington Horse Racing Commission; and Jim Halstrom, Northwest Racing, and Emerald Downs.