HOUSE BILL REPORT
SSB 5407
As Passed House:
May 23, 2001
Title: An act relating to changing provisions relating to the import 2of simulcast horse races from out‑of‑state racing facilities to 3class 1 racing associations' live racing facilities.
Brief Description: Allowing more simulcast horse racing.
Sponsors: By Senate Committee on Labor, Commerce & Financial Institutions (originally sponsored by Senators West, Prentice, Kohl‑Welles, Gardner and Rasmussen).
Brief History:
Committee Activity:
Commerce & Labor: 3/27/01, 3/30/01 [DP].
First Special Session
Floor Activity:
Passed Senate - Amended: 5/21/01, 32-9.
Passed House: 5/23/01, 61-32.
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Brief Summary of 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: 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 race cards a class 1 racing association may be authorized to import during its live race meet is lifted. A class 1 racing association may be authorized by the commission to import as many simulcast races as the live race meet regulations allow. Parimutuel wagering on imported simulcast races is permitted at the association=s live racing facility only. Licensed gambling establishments offering simulcast races must post signs at the establishment warning against the dangers of problem gambling and providing a toll free telephone number for information regarding compulsive gambling.
A statement of legislative intent clarifies: (1) an increase in the number of imported simulcast races does not expand the scope or nature of gaming beyond what has been authorized previously; and 2) the equine industry and sectors of the industry dependent upon live horse racing are the intended beneficiaries of the act. A finding by a state or federal court that the act constitutes an expansion of gambling renders the act null and void. If the act or any provision of it or its application to any person or circumstance is held to be invalid, the remainder of the act also is invalid.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Testimony For: None.
Testimony Against: None.
Testified: None.