HOUSE BILL REPORT
ESHB 1571
As Amended by the Senate
Title: An act relating to changing provisions relating to the import of simulcast horse races from out‑of‑state racing facilities to class 1 racing associations' live racing facilities.
Brief Description: Changing provisions on simulcast horse racing.
Sponsors: By House Committee on Commerce & Labor (originally sponsored by Representatives Wood, Clements and Conway).
Brief History:
Committee Activity:
Commerce & Labor: 2/13/01, 2/21/01 [DPS].
Floor Activity:
Passed House: 3/12/01, 73-22.
Senate Amended.
Passed Senate: 4/10/01, 36-12.
House Refused to Concur.
Senate Receded.
Senate Amended.
Passed Senate: 4/21/01, 37-9.
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Brief Summary of Engrossed Substitute Bill
$Removes the limitation on the number of simulcast races a class 1 racing association may be authorized to import during its live race meet.
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HOUSE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE & LABOR
Majority Report: The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass. Signed by 8 members: Representatives Clements, Republican Co‑Chair; Conway, Democratic Co‑Chair; B. Chandler, Republican Vice Chair; Wood, Democratic Vice Chair; Hunt, Kenney, Lisk and McMorris.
Staff: Sydney Forrester (786‑7120).
Background:
Class one racing associations are those associations licensed by the Washington Horse Racing Commission to conduct at least 40 days of live racing in a 12-month period. Class 1 associations may be authorized solely by the commission to import simulcasts of horse races from out-of-state racing facilities for the purpose of parimutuel wagering. An association may be allowed to import: (1) unlimited simulcast races during its non-live race season; and (2) limited simulcast races during its live race meet.
During both the live race meet and the non-live race season, a class 1 racing association may conduct parimutuel wagering up to five days each week. The limits on the number of imported simulcast races during an association=s live meet are: (1) no more than one simulcast race per each live race day; and (2) no more than two simulcast races on two non-live race days per each week.
Summary of Bill:
The limit on the number of simulcast races a class 1 racing association may be authorized to import during its live race meet is lifted. A class 1 association may be authorized by the commission to import as many simulcasts as the commission allows under the live race regulations. Advertising or promotions of simulcast races must include a statement warning against the dangers of pathological gambling behavior.
EFFECT OF SENATE AMENDMENT(S):
The Senate amendment: 1) Removes the current limits on the number of imported simulcasts that may be authorized at a class 1 racing facility during a live meet; 2) emphasizes legislative intent to preserve the equine industry and protect against adverse economic impacts; 3) clarifies that additional simulcasts are not an expansion of gambling, and that additional simulcasts may be imported to live racing facilities only; 4) restates current law from the gambling statute requiring the posting of signs at gaming facilities warning against the dangers of pathological gambling behavior; 5) renders the entire act null and void if a court rules the act is an expansion of gambling; and 6) renders the entire act invalid if a portion of the act is held to be invalid.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Testimony For: (Original bill) The changing culture of recreation and entertainment brought about by video games and the internet supports the demand for full-card simulcasting. Full-card simulcasting would promote attendance at live race meets and would support the equine industry. During winter months it is harder to attract wagering on live racing. Adding full-card simulcasting will allow facilities to bring more patrons back to live racing and would enhance the economic viability of Washington tracks and live horse racing industry in general.
(With concerns, original bill) The sentence regarding non-class 1 racing should be restored.
Testimony Against: The full-card simulcasting at live facilities will create competition for tribal gaming.
Testified: (In support) Ted Martin, Playfair Racing; Bruce Wagar, Playfair Racing and Lilac City Racing; and Jim Halstrom, Northwest Racing, Emerald Downs.
(Opposed) Steve Wehrly, Muckleshoot Indian Tribe.