SENATE BILL REPORT

SSB 6393

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.

Sponsors: Senate Committee on Labor, Commerce & Consumer Protection (originally sponsored by Senators Hewitt, Kohl-Welles and Shin; by request of Horse Racing Commission).

Majority Report: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6393 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

Signed by Senators Kohl-Welles, Chair; Keiser, Vice Chair; Holmquist, Ranking Minority Member; Franklin, Honeyford, King and Kline.

Background: Licensees that are subject to a parimutuel tax must pay a percentage of all daily gross receipts from its in-state parimutuel machines to the Horse Racing Commission (Commission). Additionally, one-tenth of 1 percent of the daily gross receipts from the licensee's in-state parimutuel machines must be forwarded to the Commission for payment to nonprofit race meets. These payments are distributed on a pro rata per-race-day basis and used to fund purses at Kennewick, Walla Walla, Waitsburg, and Dayton, and include funds generated under the parimutuel tax in an amount equal to the difference between funds collected under the additional one-tenth of 1 percent of daily gross receipts from in-state parimutuel machines, interest earned from the Washington Horse Racing Commission Operating Account, fines imposed by the Board of Stewards, and $300,000.

Summary of Substitute Bill: Payments to nonprofit race meets will not be distributed on a pro rata per-race-day basis. The commission must distribute funds on a per-race-day basis equal to $15,800 per race day from funds generated under the additional percentage of daily gross receipts from in-state parimutuel machines. If the funds so generated will not fund purses equal to $15,800 per race day, the Commission may fund purses: first, through fines imposed by the Board of Stewards and the Commission; second, from a Commission approved percentage of a source market fee; third, from interest earned from the Washington Horse Racing Commission Operating Account; and fourth, from the Washington Horse Racing Commission Operating Account. If funds generated exceed $15,800 per race day, the excess must be returned to the licensee.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony on Original Bill: PRO: Currently, the Commission distributes $300,000 every year to nonprofit race meets. The current economic conditions makes it more difficult for these race meets to continue. Without the change in this law we will be required to provide them $300,000 in purses regardless to the number of races and this could lead to higher purses than previously contemplated. All Class C tracks have been consulted and they are in support of this. This enables the Commission to make the most out of a diminished resource.