Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research | BILL ANALYSIS |
Commerce & Gaming Committee |
HB 2320
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. |
Brief Description: Providing that the horse racing commission operating account is a nonappropriated account.
Sponsors: Representatives Stokesbary, Hurst and Peterson.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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Hearing Date: 1/12/16
Staff: Peter Clodfelter (786-7127).
Background:
Washington Horse Racing Commission.
The Washington Horse Racing Commission (Commission) is responsible for licensing, regulating, and supervising all horse race meets held in the State of Washington where the pari-mutuel system of betting is used. The Commission is also responsible for inspecting each race course in the state at least once a year.
Betting or wagering on a horse race is lawful in Washington only if it is by the parimutuel method. Licensees operating race meets must withhold and pay to the Commission daily, for each authorized day of parimutuel wagering, a percentage of all the licensees' daily gross receipts from the licensees' in-state parimutuel machines. Those receipts must be deposited in the Washington Horse Racing Commission Operating Account.
Washington Horse Racing Commission Operating Account.
Within the custody of the State Treasurer is the Washington Horse Racing Commission Operating Account (Account). In addition to the percentage of licensees' daily gross receipts from licensees' parimutuel wagering machines that must be deposited into the Account, the Commission may receive and, if so, must deposit into the Account gifts, grants, and endowments from public or private sources.
Gifts, grants, and endowments must be expended according to the terms of the gift, grant or endowment. Otherwise, moneys in the Account must be used for the Commission's operating expenses. If there are sufficient funds in the Account to cover the Commission's operating expenses, the Commission may spend up to $300,000 per fiscal year for the purposes of developing the equine industry, maintaining and upgrading racing facilities, and assisting equine health research.
Moneys in the Account may be spent only after appropriation.
Summary of Bill:
Washington Horse Racing Commission Operating Account.
Moneys in the Account may be spent without an appropriation. Only the Commission or the Commission's designee may authorize expenditures from the Account. The Account is subject to allotment procedures under chapter 43.88 RCW.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.